UX Designer - Contingent

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer - Contingent

Company: Aretum

Location: McLean, Virginia, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/UI Design & Product Development

Date Posted: March 25, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote (US-Based)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a contingent position, contingent upon the successful award of a federal government contract and subsequent security clearance verification, requiring Public Trust eligibility.

• The primary focus is on end-to-end user-centered design (UCD) processes, specifically creating wireframes and prototypes within an established design system.

• Key responsibilities include conducting user research, performing usability testing, and ensuring all designs meet stringent accessibility standards, particularly Section 508 compliance and WCAG 2.1 AA.

• The position demands close collaboration within Agile/SAFe SCRUM teams, working alongside federal Product Owners, developers, and other stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions for government agencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a UX Designer within a federal consulting environment. The 'contingent' nature and requirement for Public Trust eligibility are critical differentiators. The emphasis on design systems, accessibility, and Agile methodologies within a government context suggests a need for robust process documentation and a portfolio showcasing these specific skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end user-centered design process, from initial user research and discovery to final validation and iteration.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and data analysis, to deeply understand end-user needs, business requirements, and existing system constraints.

• Develop detailed wireframes, user flows, storyboards, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and solutions for new and existing application features.

• Actively contribute to, maintain, and advance the organization's Design System, including components, libraries, utilities, and established patterns, ensuring consistency across diverse projects.

• Implement and evangelize shared UX templates and global components to maintain a cohesive and efficient user experience across all supported applications.

• Collaborate daily within cross-functional SCRUM teams, including federal Product Owners, software developers, and architects, to ideate on solutions, address user pain points, and refine designs through continuous feedback loops.

• Participate actively in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, contributing to program increments and roadmap planning within a SAFe framework.

• Execute comprehensive usability testing and accessibility audits, validating designs against user expectations and ensuring compliance with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

• Ensure all digital product deliverables adhere strictly to Section 508 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794d) and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, promoting intuitive and efficient user experiences for all users.

• Maintain meticulous documentation, including user research reports, UCD phase summaries, design system documentation, and the Design System website/Figma toolkit library.

• Provide expert guidance and mentorship to SCRUM teams on UX best practices, user-centered principles, and effective utilization of design system components and enterprise features.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives within DesignOps processes, aiming to enhance efficiency, consistency, and collaboration in the design workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep integration of UX design within a federal government context, emphasizing compliance (Section 508, WCAG) and specific methodologies (UCD, SAFe). The role requires not just design execution but also system ownership (Design System) and mentorship, suggesting a mid-to-senior level expectation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of applicable professional experience in UX design, product design, or a similar role.

• Demonstrated experience in creating and maintaining comprehensive design systems, including components, libraries, and pattern libraries.

• Proven track record of conducting and applying user research methodologies to inform design decisions.

• Experience working within Agile development environments, specifically SCRUM and ideally SAFe frameworks.

Required Skills:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Strong expertise in the full UCD lifecycle, including discovery (user research, stakeholder interviews, competitive analysis), definition (personas, journey maps, problem statements), ideation (workshops, brainstorming), prototyping, and validation (usability testing).

• UX Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools, with a strong preference for Figma. Experience with Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar is also valued.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Hands-on experience in creating detailed wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes for complex applications.

• Design Systems: Proven ability to design, develop, and maintain design system components, libraries, and documentation.

• Accessibility Standards: Expert knowledge of accessibility standards, particularly Section 508 compliance and WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, with practical experience conducting accessibility audits and implementing inclusive design solutions.

• Agile Methodologies: Solid understanding and practical experience with Agile frameworks, including SCRUM and SAFe, and familiarity with Agile project management tools like Jira and Confluence.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, including federal stakeholders, developers, and Product Owners.

Preferred Skills:

• Front-End Technologies: Familiarity with front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Angular, and Bootstrap, to understand implementation constraints and facilitate design-developer handoffs.

• DesignOps: Experience or strong understanding of Design Operations principles and practices to improve efficiency and scalability of design processes.

• Federal Government Experience: Prior experience working on federal government contracts, understanding of FAR regulations, ATO processes, or working with regulatory platforms.

• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) UX Certification, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).

• Advanced Prototyping: Experience with advanced prototyping tools or techniques.

• Content-Heavy Systems: Background in designing for content-heavy enterprise systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of core UX skills, specific tool proficiency (Figma), deep knowledge of accessibility (Section 508, WCAG), and experience within government/federal contexts. The explicit mention of SAFe framework and DesignOps suggests a need for candidates who can operate within structured, scaled agile environments and contribute to design system maturity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design System Showcase: A significant portion of the portfolio should demonstrate experience in creating, contributing to, or maintaining a comprehensive design system. This includes examples of components, style guides, and documentation.

• User-Centered Design Case Studies: Detailed case studies illustrating the end-to-end UCD process, from initial research and problem definition through to solution design, prototyping, testing, and implementation.

• Accessibility Compliance Examples: Evidence of applying Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines in design work, including examples of accessibility audits performed and solutions implemented to ensure inclusive user experiences.

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Clear examples of wireframes and interactive prototypes created using tools like Figma, demonstrating the ability to visualize complex user flows and application logic.

• Collaboration & Iteration: Documentation or descriptions of how collaboration with stakeholders, developers, and Product Owners influenced design decisions and led to iterative improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of documented user workflows, process maps, or user journey maps that have been designed or optimized for clarity and efficiency.

• Implementation & Automation: If applicable, provide examples of how designs were translated into development-ready assets or how design processes themselves were streamlined through automation or improved tooling.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how the impact of design decisions was measured, potentially through usability testing metrics, accessibility audit reports, or user feedback analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX role focused on government contracts and design systems, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to explicitly show not just design output but the process behind it, with a strong emphasis on compliance, system thinking, and collaborative workflows. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their portfolio, explaining the rationale and impact of their design choices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $100,000 - $140,000 annually.

• Basis for Estimate: This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for experienced UX Designers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (McLean, VA), considering the required 5+ years of experience, specialized skills (Figma, accessibility, design systems), and the federal contracting environment. The "contingent" nature and potential security clearance requirements can also influence compensation. Actual salary will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the specific contract awarded.

Benefits:

• Health Care Plan: Comprehensive coverage including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.

• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan for long-term financial planning.

• Life Insurance: Basic, Voluntary, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid time off for rest and rejuvenation.

• Family Leave: Support for employees through Maternity and Paternity leave policies.

• Disability Insurance: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage to provide financial security.

• Training & Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill enhancement, and professional growth.

Working Hours:

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

• While remote, adherence to core business hours dictated by federal client needs and Agile team synchronization is expected. Flexibility may be offered based on project demands and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on market data for similar roles in the specified geographic region and experience level. The contingent nature means the final salary will be tied to the awarded contract. The benefits package is typical for a full-time position in the US federal contracting sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Technology Consulting / Defense & Homeland Security

Company Size: Aretum is a mid-sized company, typically employing between 50-200 professionals. This size often allows for a blend of structured processes and a more agile, collaborative environment compared to very large corporations.

Founded: Aretum was founded in 2017, indicating a relatively young but established company with a focus on modern technology solutions for government clients.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The UX Designer will likely be part of a larger Solutions or Digital Transformation practice within Aretum, working alongside other designers, researchers, developers, and project managers.

• Reporting: Reports typically to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Program Manager overseeing the specific federal contract.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role is inherently cross-functional, requiring constant interaction with federal Product Owners, SCRUM Masters, developers, QA testers, business analysts, and potentially client stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using user research, data analysis, and user feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Agile & SAFe Implementation: Processes are structured around Agile methodologies, likely following the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) due to the nature of large government programs. This involves iterative development, continuous feedback, and frequent planning cycles.

• User-Centered Design (UCD) Integration: UCD principles are integral to the design process, ensuring that user needs are prioritized throughout the product development lifecycle.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Aretum operates within the federal contracting space, which implies a strong emphasis on process, compliance, and delivering tangible results for government clients. The company's founding date suggests a focus on contemporary technology and agile approaches. The team structure will likely be project-centric, with UX designers embedded within development teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

• The UX Designer's impact is critical to the success of government applications by ensuring usability, accessibility, and user satisfaction. By creating intuitive interfaces and efficient workflows, they directly contribute to:
  • Increased user adoption and productivity for federal employees.
  • Reduced training costs and support requests.
  • Improved mission effectiveness by enabling users to accomplish tasks more efficiently.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as advanced accessibility, design system architecture, user research methodologies, or UX for complex enterprise systems.

• Leadership: Progress into Lead UX Designer roles, managing design initiatives for larger programs or mentoring junior designers.

• DesignOps: Transition into or contribute more heavily to Design Operations, focusing on optimizing design processes, tooling, and team efficiency.

• Cross-functional Roles: Leverage UX expertise in product management, technical program management, or business analysis roles within the federal sector.

• Security Clearance Progression: With successful performance and contract support, there may be opportunities to work on contracts requiring higher levels of security clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX Designer in this federal contracting environment focuses on deepening technical and process expertise, moving into leadership, or specializing in critical areas like accessibility and design systems. The ability to demonstrate impact on mission-critical systems will be key for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

Office Location(s):

• Aretum Headquarters: McLean, Virginia, United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the role necessitates a highly collaborative approach, utilizing video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaborative design tools (like Figma) to maintain strong team connections.

• Technology & Tools: Employees are expected to have a reliable internet connection and a suitable home office setup to effectively use Aretum's technology stack, including design software, communication platforms, and project management tools.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual stand-ups, sprint reviews, and design critiques are standard, fostering a sense of team presence and shared purpose even when geographically dispersed.

Work Schedule:

• The role follows standard full-time working hours (approx. 40 hours/week). While remote, adherence to the core working hours of the federal clients and Agile team synchronization is crucial. This may involve working within specific East Coast (EST) business hours or coordinating with team members across different US time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature requires strong self-discipline and excellent virtual communication skills. The emphasis on collaboration and adherence to client/team schedules means candidates must be proactive in managing their time and availability.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and suitability for a contingent role.

• Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: A more in-depth discussion focusing on experience, UCD methodologies, design system work, and understanding of federal requirements. This may include behavioral questions.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will likely present a curated portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects that highlight their UCD process, design system contributions, and accessibility considerations. A practical design challenge or case study might be assigned, either prior to or during this stage, to assess problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Client/Stakeholder Interview (Potential): Depending on the contract, there might be a final interview with federal client representatives or key stakeholders to assess cultural fit and alignment with project needs.

• Offer & Contingency: If successful, an offer will be extended, contingent upon contract award and successful completion of background checks/security clearance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your expertise in design systems, UCD, and accessibility, particularly those with complex problem-solving or government-related elements if possible.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions made, challenges overcome, and the measurable impact or outcome. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Design System Work: Dedicate time to showcase your contributions to design systems – what you built, how you ensured consistency, and how it impacted development efficiency.

• Emphasize Accessibility: Explicitly discuss how you incorporated Section 508 and WCAG guidelines. Show examples of audits or solutions implemented.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, trade-offs considered, and how you collaborated with developers and Product Owners.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully grasp the problem statement, target users, and constraints. Ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process. It's often more important than the final pixel-perfect solution. Show how you'd approach research, ideation, and iteration.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across different stages of the challenge. Practice presenting your solution concisely and clearly within a given timeframe.

• Accessibility & Compliance: Integrate considerations for Section 508 and WCAG into your challenge response where relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of skills, portfolio presentation, and alignment with government project needs. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process rigorously and demonstrate a strong understanding of accessibility and design system principles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Highly preferred for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management. Proficiency is a key requirement.

• Sketch / Adobe XD: Experience with these alternative tools is also valuable, demonstrating adaptability.

• Prototyping Tools: In-depth knowledge of Figma's prototyping capabilities, and potentially tools like InVision or Axure for more complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools for conducting usability testing and gathering user feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

• Analytics Tools (Indirect): While not a direct UX tool, understanding how to interpret data from web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) or product analytics platforms can inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Jira & Confluence: Essential for Agile project management, backlog tracking, documentation, and team collaboration within SCRUM and SAFe frameworks.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for daily communication and virtual meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly called out as preferred, making it a critical tool to highlight proficiency in. The emphasis on Jira and Confluence underscores the need for candidates comfortable in structured Agile environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the mission of federal government clients through innovative and effective technology solutions.

• Excellence & Integrity: Upholding high standards in work quality, ethical conduct, and client service.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team-oriented environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional cooperation is encouraged to solve complex problems.

• User Advocacy: Championing the needs and experiences of end-users within the design and development process, ensuring products are intuitive, accessible, and efficient.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing feedback, learning from challenges, and actively seeking ways to enhance processes, tools, and user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expectation of close, integrated work with development teams, Product Owners, and other project stakeholders, often embedded within Agile sprints.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and frequent communication through various channels (meetings, chat, documentation) to ensure alignment and address issues proactively.

• Feedback Loops: A culture that values constructive feedback, both giving and receiving, to refine designs and improve team processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of best practices, design patterns, and lessons learned across teams and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely mirrors many government contracting firms: mission-driven, process-oriented, and focused on delivering reliable, compliant solutions. Collaboration is key, especially in a remote, Agile setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Requirements: Adapting to the unique constraints, compliance mandates (Section 508, WCAG), and procurement processes inherent in federal projects.

• Legacy Systems & Technical Debt: Potentially working with older government systems that may have significant technical debt, requiring creative solutions within limitations.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, effective communication, and design synergy within a fully remote, distributed team environment.

• Balancing User Needs with Stakeholder Demands: Effectively advocating for user needs while managing diverse stakeholder expectations and project constraints.

• Design System Maturity: Contributing to or enhancing a design system that serves multiple complex applications, requiring careful governance and scalability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Accessibility Training: Deepen expertise in accessibility standards and inclusive design practices, potentially leading to certifications.

• Design System Architecture: Develop advanced skills in architecting and scaling large design systems for enterprise-level applications.

• SAFe Methodology Expertise: Gain deeper practical experience and potentially certifications in the Scaled Agile Framework.

• Federal Sector Domain Knowledge: Expand understanding of specific federal agency missions, operational challenges, and regulatory environments.

• Mentorship Programs: Participate in or lead mentorship initiatives, honing leadership and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for the federal contracting space, focusing on compliance, remote work dynamics, and system complexity. Growth is tied to specialization, leadership, and domain expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a complex government application, ensuring compliance with Section 508 and WCAG." (Focus: UCD, accessibility, process)

• "Walk us through your experience with design systems. What makes a design system successful, and how do you contribute to its maintenance and adoption?" (Focus: Design systems, collaboration, technical implementation)

• "How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and stakeholder requirements, especially within a federal project context?" (Focus: Problem-solving, negotiation, trade-offs)

• "Tell us about a time you conducted user research or usability testing. How did the findings influence your design decisions?" (Focus: Research methodology, impact, iteration)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Aretum, particularly on federal contracts?" (Focus: Motivation, alignment with mission)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a remote setting?" (Focus: Teamwork, communication skills)

• "What are your thoughts on DesignOps and how it can enhance a design team's efficiency?" (Focus: Process improvement mindset)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as compelling stories about problems solved and value delivered.

• Process Focus: Clearly articulate your methodology for each project, emphasizing research, iterative design, and validation.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics (e.g., improved task completion time, reduced error rates, positive user feedback) to demonstrate the impact of your work.

• Design System Depth: Be ready to show specific examples of components, usage guidelines, and how you ensure consistency.

• Accessibility Integration: Explicitly call out how accessibility was addressed in your project(s).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should center on demonstrating practical application of UCD, design systems, and accessibility within the context of federal projects and Agile methodologies. Be ready to articulate your process and defend your design decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience directly relevant to UX design, design systems, accessibility (Section 508/WCAG), UCD processes, and Agile/SAFe methodologies. Ensure your portfolio is readily accessible and showcases projects that align with these requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience, specific responsibilities, and achievements using keywords found in the job description (e.g., Figma, UCD, design systems, Section 508, WCAG, Agile, SAFe). Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and project outcomes. Be prepared to present your portfolio and discuss your experience with specific tools and methodologies. Research Aretum's mission and values.

• Contingency Awareness: Understand that this is a contingent position. Be prepared to discuss your eligibility for Public Trust clearance and your understanding of the implications of this requirement.

⚠️ 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.