UX Designer (Secret or TS clearance required)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (Secret or TS clearance required)

Company: ICF

Location: Washington, DC Remote Office (DC99) - Hybrid

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Government Technology

Date Posted: 2026-05-11T00:00:00

Experience Level: Mid-Career (6+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Occasional onsite work required in metro DC area)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the modernization of federal digital services by applying human-centered design principles to legacy systems.

• Develop intuitive UX/UI solutions, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, for complex enterprise applications.

• Ensure designs adhere to federal UX/UI standards, including Section 508 accessibility and specific design systems like the NBIS UI/UX Playbook.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams within Agile (SAFe) and DevSecOps environments to integrate UX seamlessly into the product lifecycle.

• Support and conduct usability testing, analyze UX metrics, and translate research findings into actionable design improvements to enhance user satisfaction and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a UX Designer focused on government digital transformation projects. The emphasis on federal clients, legacy system modernization, security clearances (Secret/TS), and adherence to specific government standards (Section 508, USWDS) indicates a need for candidates with experience navigating complex, regulated environments. The hybrid work model and potential for occasional onsite requirements in the DC metro area are key logistical considerations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end user experiences, encompassing user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs with detailed specifications.

• Translate complex business processes, technical constraints, and mission requirements into user-centered applications for enterprise users, particularly in areas like personnel vetting and adjudication workflows.

• Ensure all designs comply with federal UX/UI standards, including Section 508 accessibility requirements and any relevant system-specific design systems (e.g., NBIS UI/UX Playbook).

• Support and actively participate in usability testing sessions, observing users and capturing qualitative insights to inform iterative design improvements.

• Collaborate with product teams to validate design concepts, gather feedback, and translate research findings into actionable design updates that enhance usability, efficiency, and overall user satisfaction.

• Assist in the implementation of UX measurement tools to track user behavior, feature adoption, and workflow completion rates.

• Analyze UX metrics and user feedback to inform design decisions, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to reporting on user experience outcomes for product prioritization.

• Work effectively within Agile (SAFe) delivery teams, collaborating iteratively with developers, product owners, and engineers during sprint planning and PI demos.

• Ensure designed solutions are technically feasible within CI/CD pipelines and align with system architecture and broader technical constraints.

• Apply and contribute to shared UI components, patterns, and design systems to maintain consistency across enterprise applications and promote interoperability.

• Produce clear UX/UI documentation, including design specifications, interaction patterns, and user guidance, to support development and adoption.

• Support the development of training materials and user-facing documentation to facilitate system adoption and effective user support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a full-spectrum UX role, from initial concept and design to testing, measurement, and documentation. The emphasis on federal government clients and compliance (Section 508) is a critical differentiator for this role, requiring a deep understanding of these specific constraints and guidelines. The integration into Agile/DevSecOps practices is also a core expectation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Preferred).

Experience:

• 6+ years of professional experience in user experience design, interaction design, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience designing for complex, multi-step workflows or enterprise applications.

• Proven ability to work within Agile or iterative delivery environments, collaborating closely with developers.

• Experience supporting the modernization of legacy systems into modern, cloud-based platforms.

Required Skills:

• Active Secret security clearance, with eligibility to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

• Proficiency in User Experience (UX) design principles and Human-Centered Design methodologies.

• Strong UI Design skills, translating UX concepts into visual interfaces.

• Experience with wireframing, user flow design, and interactive prototyping.

• Familiarity with designing for Section 508 accessibility standards.

• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment, with occasional onsite requirements in the metro DC area.

Preferred Skills:

• Top Secret security clearance.

• Working knowledge of Figma for design and prototyping.

• Exposure to the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

• Familiarity with specific federal design systems like the NBIS UI/UX Playbook.

• Experience with UX analytics and behavioral measurement tools.

• Strong collaboration skills across cross-functional teams (design, engineering, product).

• Ability to communicate design decisions clearly and adapt based on feedback.

• Experience with DevSecOps and CI/CD pipelines.

• Experience supporting common services and platforms to promote interoperability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The clearance requirement is paramount. The 6+ years of experience positions this as a mid-career to senior role within UX. The preference for Figma, USWDS, and federal system experience indicates specific technical and domain knowledge that will be highly valued. The requirement to reside and work in the U.S. is a strict compliance point.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing end-to-end UX/UI design projects, with a strong emphasis on complex workflows and enterprise applications.

• Case studies demonstrating the application of human-centered design principles from research and ideation through to final design and iteration.

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, clearly articulating design decisions and rationale.

• Projects that highlight experience with federal design standards, Section 508 accessibility, and potentially the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

• Demonstrations of how user feedback and usability testing results were integrated to improve designs.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of clear UX/UI documentation, such as design specifications, style guides, or pattern libraries, that facilitate developer handoff and ensure consistency.

• If applicable, include examples of how UX metrics were used to inform design decisions and measure success.

• Any documentation related to user research summaries, usability testing reports, or design rationale for complex problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role, especially within government contracting, the portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just visual design skills but also a deep understanding of user research, usability testing, accessibility standards (Section 508), and the ability to translate complex requirements into functional, intuitive interfaces within a structured environment. Highlighting experience with federal systems and design patterns will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with company match.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for professional development, training, and certifications.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Working Hours:

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

• Hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with some days onsite in the DC metro area and others remote.

• Adherence to ICF's policy regarding monitoring employee work locations and blocking access from foreign locations/IP addresses, and prohibition of personal VPN connections.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, reflecting the significant experience requirement and the potential for candidates with Top Secret clearances and extensive federal project experience to command higher compensation. The benefits package is standard for a large advisory and technology services firm like ICF. The explicit mention of work location monitoring and VPN restrictions is important for remote candidates to note.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advisory and Technology Services, with a strong focus on Government clients.

Company Size: ICF is a large, global organization, employing thousands of professionals. This scale implies structured processes, diverse project opportunities, and a robust corporate infrastructure.

Founded: ICF was founded in 1969, indicating a long history of providing consulting and technology solutions, particularly to government entities.

Team Structure:

• The role is within ICF Next Government, focusing on digital modernization for federal clients.

• This implies working within cross-functional delivery teams, likely structured according to Agile methodologies (SAFe).

• The team will include product owners, developers, engineers, potentially other UX/UI designers, researchers, and project managers.

Methodology:

• Human-centered design principles are central to ICF Next Government's approach.

• Agile (SAFe) methodologies are employed for iterative development and delivery.

• DevSecOps practices are integrated, emphasizing security and continuous integration/delivery within the development lifecycle.

• A data-driven approach is used to inform design decisions through UX metrics and analytics.

• Emphasis on modernization of legacy systems and transformation into scalable, user-friendly platforms.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: ICF's long history and significant size suggest stability and extensive resources. The focus on government clients means a culture that understands and adheres to strict compliance, security, and procurement processes. The ICF Next division specifically targets digital transformation, aligning with the UX Designer's core function.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-career to senior-level UX Designer position, requiring 6+ years of experience. The role involves significant autonomy in design execution and collaboration, with expectations to contribute to design system evolution and data-informed decision-making.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Program Manager within ICF Next Government. They will work closely with Product Owners and Scrum Masters within their Agile teams.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of critical federal digital services. By modernizing legacy systems and improving user experiences, they contribute to enhanced mission effectiveness, reduced operational costs, and improved citizen/user satisfaction. Their insights from user research and metrics analysis will influence product roadmaps and strategic decisions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in federal UX/UI standards, accessibility (Section 508), and specific design systems (USWDS, NBIS Playbook). Gain experience with advanced prototyping tools and user research methodologies.

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Designer or Lead UX Designer role, mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives for larger projects, or contributing to UX strategy at a program level.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific government domains (e.g., defense, health, public safety) or specialized UX areas (e.g., UX research, interaction design, design systems).

• Cross-functional Development: Gain exposure to DevSecOps, Agile methodologies (SAFe), and the broader technology consulting landscape within ICF.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within a specialized government UX domain. The emphasis on federal standards and complex systems provides a unique and valuable skill set. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening UX expertise and potentially moving into team leadership or strategic roles within ICF's government sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. This involves a combination of remote work and occasional onsite presence at ICF offices in the metro DC area. The "DC Remote Office (DC99)" designation suggests a specific administrative hub or primary work location for remote employees in that region.

Office Location(s): The primary work area is the metro DC region, encompassing Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Occasional onsite work is required, implying access to ICF facilities in this area.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work: Requires a dedicated home office setup with reliable internet connectivity. Candidates must adhere to ICF's policy on work location monitoring and VPN usage.

• Onsite Collaboration: Occasional visits to ICF offices will facilitate in-person collaboration, team meetings, workshops, and client interactions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office productivity software, collaboration platforms, and specialized UX/UI design tools (e.g., Figma) will be provided or expected.

• Team Interaction: Regular communication through video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management tools will be essential for maintaining team cohesion and workflow.

Work Schedule:

• Typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in managing work location, but specific days for onsite meetings or collaboration might be required.

• Employees are expected to be available during core working hours for team synchronization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature means candidates need to be comfortable with both remote autonomy and periodic in-person engagement. The explicit policy on work location monitoring and VPN restrictions is crucial for remote workers to understand and comply with. Proximity to the DC metro area is key for the "occasional onsite" requirement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes to assess qualifications, experience, and clearance status.

2. Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing relevant projects and design process. This is a critical step to evaluate design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of user-centered methodologies.

3. Technical/Behavioral Interviews: Expect interviews focusing on UX/UI principles, design thinking, problem-solving scenarios, and behavioral questions related to teamwork, communication, and handling challenges. This may involve design exercises or case studies.

4. Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members and key stakeholders (e.g., product owners, developers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and technical acumen.

5. Final Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership or the hiring manager to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex workflows, enterprise applications, and federal/government projects if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, design, testing, iteration), key decisions made, and the impact/outcomes.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user-centered approach, how you incorporated research and testing, and how you navigated constraints (technical, regulatory, budget).

• Showcase Deliverables: Include wireframes, user flows, prototypes, UI mockups, and any relevant documentation. Explain the purpose and evolution of each.

• Accessibility Focus: Specifically call out how you addressed Section 508 compliance or other accessibility standards.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home or live design exercise that might involve redesigning a feature, creating a user flow for a complex task, or solving a specific UX problem.

• Presentation Skills: Practice articulating your design rationale, process, and decisions clearly and concisely. Be ready to defend your choices and incorporate feedback.

• Federal Context: Familiarize yourself with common challenges in government digital services, such as legacy system integration, stringent security requirements, and diverse user groups with varying technical literacy.

• Agile/DevSecOps Understanding: Be ready to discuss how you collaborate within these frameworks and ensure UX is integrated effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects in detail, explaining their thought process and the impact of their work. The emphasis on government work means highlighting experience with Section 508 and complex enterprise systems will be key. Be ready to discuss how you collaborate in Agile/DevSecOps environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as preferred for design and prototyping. Proficiency is highly desirable.

• Sketch/Adobe XD: While Figma is preferred, familiarity with other industry-standard design tools may be beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Axure RP, or similar for creating interactive prototypes.

• Wireframing Tools: Balsamiq, Miro, or Figma itself for low-fidelity designs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• UX Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools used to track user behavior, feature adoption, and workflow completion (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar, Pendo, or custom solutions).

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools that help in reporting UX metrics and outcomes (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or dashboarding features within analytics platforms).

CRM & Automation:

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Jira/Confluence: Standard for Agile teams, used for tracking tasks, user stories, documentation, and sprint planning.

• Miro/Mural: For collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, and user journey mapping.

• Slack/Microsoft Teams: For real-time team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma proficiency is a strong preferred skill. The role requires not just design execution but also an understanding of how to measure and report on the impact of UX through analytics tools, and how to collaborate effectively within Agile/DevSecOps workflows using tools like Jira and Confluence.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of federal users and citizens.

• Excellence in Design: Striving for high-quality, intuitive, and accessible digital experiences.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking better ways to solve complex problems through design and technology.

• Integrity & Compliance: Adhering to federal regulations, security protocols, and ethical standards.

• Efficiency & Impact: Designing solutions that improve operational efficiency and deliver measurable outcomes for clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly with developers, product managers, researchers, and clients to ensure cohesive product development.

• Iterative Feedback: Openness to constructive criticism and a willingness to iterate on designs based on feedback from peers, stakeholders, and users.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design reviews, sharing best practices, and contributing to the team's collective knowledge base.

• Agile Mindset: Embracing adaptability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at ICF Next Government likely emphasizes a strong sense of mission, given the focus on public service through digital transformation. Collaboration is key, especially within the Agile/DevSecOps framework. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with these values, particularly regarding user focus, compliance, and impactful design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Modernizing Legacy Systems: Transforming outdated, complex systems into modern, user-friendly platforms while managing technical debt and existing user workflows.

• Navigating Federal Constraints: Adhering to strict security requirements, Section 508 accessibility mandates, and specific government design standards (e.g., USWDS) within tight project timelines.

• Balancing Diverse User Needs: Designing for a wide range of users within federal agencies, who may have varying levels of technical proficiency and diverse operational needs.

• Integrating UX in DevSecOps: Ensuring UX considerations are effectively integrated into rapid, iterative development cycles and continuous integration/delivery pipelines.

• Clear Communication: Effectively communicating complex design decisions and rationale to non-design stakeholders, including technical teams and government clients.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Federal UX Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in government UX/UI design, Section 508 compliance, and federal design systems.

• Advanced Tools & Techniques: Mastering advanced features of design tools like Figma, exploring new UX research methodologies, and understanding UX analytics platforms.

• DevSecOps Integration: Enhancing understanding of CI/CD pipelines and how UX fits into automated development and deployment processes.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Opportunities to lead design efforts, mentor junior designers, and contribute to UX strategy within ICF's government sector.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to work on diverse federal projects, gaining broad experience across different agencies and mission areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the unique environment of government contracting – balancing innovation with compliance, and modernizing complex legacy systems. Growth is tied to specializing in this niche, mastering relevant tools and methodologies, and developing leadership skills within this context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a complex, multi-step workflow. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact).

• "How do you ensure your designs meet accessibility standards like Section 508?" (Highlight your knowledge and practical application of accessibility principles).

• "Walk me through a project where you collaborated closely with developers in an Agile environment. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Demonstrate collaboration and Agile integration skills).

• "How would you approach modernizing a legacy federal system with limited documentation and a diverse user base?" (Showcase your strategic thinking, research approach, and ability to handle ambiguity).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for ICF and on federal digital transformation projects?" (Connect your career goals with ICF's mission and client base).

• "How do you stay updated on federal UX/UI standards and best practices?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning in this specific domain).

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs?" (Assess your receptiveness to feedback and collaborative spirit).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Project Overview -> Problem Statement -> Your Role -> Design Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing, Iteration) -> Key Deliverables -> Outcomes/Impact -> Lessons Learned.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of your designs, wireframes, and user flows. Annotate them to explain specific design choices.

• Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, focusing on the 'why' behind your decisions.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions about your process, choices, and any challenges encountered. Engage the interviewers by asking clarifying questions.

• Tailor: Emphasize projects that align with the job description – federal clients, complex systems, accessibility, Agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to deeply articulate your design process, especially concerning federal requirements like Section 508 and experience with complex enterprise systems. Practice presenting your portfolio clearly and concisely, focusing on problem-solving and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the ICF career portal link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience with federal clients, Section 508 compliance, complex enterprise applications, and Agile/DevSecOps environments. Prioritize projects that showcase your human-centered design process and problem-solving skills.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly state your active Secret clearance and eligibility for TS. Quantify achievements related to UX improvements, efficiency gains, or user satisfaction where possible. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the interview preparation tips above. Practice articulating your design process and presenting your portfolio. Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma, federal standards, and collaborative work environments.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with ICF's work in the government sector, their approach to digital transformation, and their commitment to human-centered design. Understand their hybrid work policies regarding location monitoring and VPN use.

⚠️ 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.