UX Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Engineer

Company: DPRA Incorporated

Location: Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Design Operations

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end user experience (UX) strategy and execution for large-scale DoD AI/ML platforms.

• Translate complex technical capabilities into intuitive, mission-aligned user experiences and workflows.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product management, data science, engineering, and DoD customers.

• Lead customer engagement and validation efforts, including JAD sessions and usability testing.

• Ensure UX/UI designs align with project objectives, operational constraints, and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a specialized area of operations that focuses on the user interface and experience of complex, mission-critical systems, particularly within the defense sector. The "UX Engineer" title suggests a blend of design strategy, product understanding, and technical collaboration, requiring a strong operational mindset to ensure seamless integration of user needs with technical realities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the overall UX strategy and execution for a large-scale DoD AI/ML platform, ensuring user-centricity throughout the development lifecycle.

• Collaborate closely with platform architects, data science and data engineering leads, product managers, engineering teams, and DoD customers to translate technical capabilities into validated UX concepts, workflows, and mockups.

• Act as a key member of the delivery team, ensuring UX/UI designs are aligned with project objectives, customer needs, and operational constraints.

• Work with QA and DevOps to ensure delivered capabilities meet usability, performance, and quality standards, embedding operational quality checks.

• Lead customer engagement and validation efforts, including Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions, usability testing, and iterative design reviews, to ensure designs are continuously vetted and evolve based on user feedback.

• Collaborate with the client on product design, including data, AI/ML models, security compliance, customer organizational requirements, and system architecture, to align user workflows with technical capabilities and cross-functional requirements.

• Translate complex architectures into user-centric design artifacts, mockups, and interaction models, ensuring a clear operational flow.

• Create UI/UX design specifications, workflows, and early-stage mockups to guide development teams, establishing clear operational blueprints.

• Establish and maintain UX/UI standards, design systems, and best practices, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and scalability of the user experience.

• Develop high-level system interaction diagrams and user journey flows to support program design, development, testing, and documentation, enhancing operational clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for operational discipline in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects within a defense context. Emphasis on "end-to-end strategy and execution," "translating technical capabilities," "ensuring alignment with operational constraints," and "validating with stakeholders" points to a role requiring robust project management and process adherence within a UX framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Human-Centered Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience performing similar functions on DoD or commercial programs/projects, with a focus on complex platforms or enterprise systems, preferably in AI/ML or data-intensive environments.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to translate technical architectures into user-centric workflows and designs, showcasing process mapping skills.

• Strong experience facilitating customer workshops, Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions, and usability testing to gather operational feedback.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with product managers, architects, engineers, and QA teams, demonstrating cross-functional operations.

• Experience creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes using tools like Figma or similar, translating concepts into actionable development assets.

• Ability to analyze user needs and data to define and document effective solutions, emphasizing data-driven decision-making.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to present to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, crucial for operational alignment.

• Ability to contribute across all phases of the Agile development lifecycle, with emphasis on design, planning, and validation, reflecting operational agility.

• Ability to work directly with Functional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to define requirements and refine user interfaces, showcasing deep domain understanding.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience supporting DoD AI/ML platforms, data platforms, or geospatial systems, indicating specialized domain knowledge.

• Familiarity with Agile tools (e.g., Jira) and frameworks (Scrum, SAFe), essential for operational workflow management.

• Experience in front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks) for effective collaboration with development teams (note: this is not a primary coding role, but understanding is beneficial for operational handoffs).

• Experience with AWS, GCP, or other cloud platforms, relevant for modern enterprise system operations.

• Experience developing or contributing to design systems and UX governance frameworks, promoting operational standardization.

• Certifications in Product Management, UX Design, or Agile methodologies (CSM, SAFe, etc.), demonstrating commitment to professional development in operational best practices.

• Other relevant Technical and Agile certifications (e.g., Certified Scrum Master, Microsoft certifications, SAFe Certifications).

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical understanding, strategic UX thinking, and strong interpersonal skills necessary for operational success in a complex government contracting environment. The explicit requirement for a DoD security clearance and experience with DoD programs points to the specialized nature of this operations role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end UX strategy and execution for complex platforms, specifically highlighting AI/ML or data-intensive systems.

• Include examples of translating technical architectures into user-centric design artifacts, workflows, and mockups, demonstrating process transformation.

• Present case studies of customer engagement and validation efforts, such as JAD sessions or usability testing, detailing the impact on design and operational outcomes.

• Demonstrate experience in creating detailed UI/UX design specifications, workflows, and prototypes using tools like Figma, illustrating a structured approach to design documentation.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you documented user workflows and system interaction diagrams to support development, testing, and operational handoffs.

• Detail your approach to integrating user feedback and operational constraints into iterative design reviews and product evolution.

• Showcase how you collaborated with QA and DevOps to ensure delivered capabilities met usability, performance, and quality standards, linking design to operational quality assurance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Engineer role, especially in a government context, a portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic design skills but also the ability to manage complex processes, collaborate operationally, and translate technical requirements into tangible, user-friendly experiences that meet mission objectives. The emphasis should be on the process of design and its impact on operational outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for UX Engineers with 5-10 years of experience in the United States, particularly those with DoD clearance and experience in specialized tech sectors like AI/ML, a competitive salary range is estimated between $100,000 - $140,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific experience, location within the US (though fully remote), and the candidate's security clearance level.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package.

• Comprehensive Total Rewards program, often including health, dental, and vision insurance.

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

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

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications relevant to UX, AI/ML, and Agile methodologies.

• Flexible work style and fully remote work environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. Given the fully remote nature, there may be flexibility in scheduling, but adherence to Agile development cycles and customer availability will be key operational considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on U.S. national averages for UX Engineers with the specified experience level and highly specialized skills (DoD clearance, AI/ML platform experience). The "Total Rewards program" mentioned implies a comprehensive benefits package beyond basic salary, typical for established government contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology & Services, Government Contracting, Defense Technology. DPRA Incorporated operates in a sector that supports defense and government clients, often involving advanced technology solutions. This implies a culture that values precision, security, and mission accomplishment.

Company Size: DPRA Incorporated is a mid-sized company, likely employing between 201-500 employees, based on typical profiles of companies using JazzHR and operating in this niche. This size often offers a balance between established processes and the agility to adapt.

Founded: DPRA Incorporated was founded in 1995. This history suggests a stable company with significant experience in its operational domains, likely having refined its methodologies over decades.

Team Structure:

• The UX Engineer will likely be part of a dedicated UX/Product team or a larger engineering/product development group.

• The role involves close collaboration with Product Managers, Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Front-end Developers, QA Engineers, and direct interaction with DoD customers.

Methodology:

• The team operates within an Agile development lifecycle, emphasizing iterative design, continuous feedback, and rapid deployment.

• Data-driven decision-making is core, leveraging user analytics, feedback, and technical performance metrics to inform UX strategy.

• Emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and clear communication to align diverse stakeholders towards common mission objectives.

Company Website: http://www.dpra.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's background in defense contracting and its founding date suggest a culture that prioritizes reliability, adherence to stringent standards, and long-term client relationships. The "flexible environment that offers support and camaraderie" and "vast learning opportunities" indicate a commitment to employee growth within a structured operational framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for an experienced professional, fitting into a mid-to-senior level UX Engineer or UX Strategist position. The responsibilities require ownership of strategy and execution, indicating a significant level of autonomy and impact on the product's success. The focus on large-scale DoD platforms suggests a career path towards leading UX initiatives within complex government projects.

Reporting Structure: The UX Engineer will report to a higher-level manager within the product or engineering department. They will work closely with product managers and technical leads, necessitating strong collaborative and influencing skills to drive UX initiatives forward within the project's operational structure.

Operations Impact: The UX Engineer's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of critical DoD AI/ML platforms. By translating complex technical capabilities into intuitive user experiences, they enhance mission success, improve operational workflows for end-users, and ensure the platform's adoption and impact. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between advanced technology and the end-users who rely on it for critical operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for AI/ML, data platforms, or specific DoD domains, becoming a go-to expert.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead UX Engineer, UX Manager, or Product Management role, overseeing larger teams and strategic initiatives.

• Skill Development: Pursue advanced certifications in UX, product management, Agile methodologies, or cloud technologies to broaden skill sets and operational capabilities.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Gain exposure to broader engineering, data science, or program management roles within DPRA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career trajectory for a UX Engineer in this context is strong, particularly given the demand for skilled professionals in defense technology. The emphasis on AI/ML and large-scale platforms positions this role as a strategic asset, offering significant growth potential within DPRA and the broader defense industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering significant flexibility in terms of work location within the United States. The company emphasizes a "flexible work style" and "vast learning opportunities" regardless of geographic location.

Office Location(s): While the role is fully remote, the company headquarters is in Norfolk, Virginia. DPRA Incorporated may have other physical locations supporting their contracts, but this specific role does not require on-site presence.

Workspace Context:

• The remote work environment necessitates strong self-discipline, time management, and proactive communication.

• Access to reliable internet and a dedicated workspace will be essential for effective collaboration and productivity.

• Operations tools and technology will be provided or accessible remotely, requiring proficiency in digital collaboration platforms and design software.

• Opportunities for team interaction will primarily occur through virtual meetings, collaboration tools, and potentially occasional team gatherings or client site visits if required.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time (40 hours/week) with potential for flexibility. Adherence to project deadlines and availability for key meetings (e.g., stand-ups, JAD sessions) will be crucial for operational continuity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote aspect is a significant benefit, appealing to operations professionals who value work-life balance. However, it also demands a high degree of autonomy and responsibility for managing one's own work environment and schedule effectively to meet operational demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on alignment with core requirements, especially DoD clearance and relevant experience.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: Expect a session focused on your UX portfolio. You'll likely be asked to walk through specific projects, detailing your process, challenges, solutions, and the operational impact of your designs. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Figma, JAD sessions, and translating technical requirements.

• Cross-functional/Team Interview: You may meet with team members (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit within the Agile and DoD operational context.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager to assess overall fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential within DPRA.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your UX process for each project – discovery, research, ideation, design, testing, and implementation handoff. Emphasize how you operationalized user needs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or qualitative outcomes demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced errors, positive user feedback). Highlight the operational benefits derived.

• Highlight Technical Translation: Include examples where you successfully translated complex technical architectures or AI/ML capabilities into intuitive user interfaces and workflows.

• Tailor to DoD: If possible, include projects relevant to government or defense applications, or explain how your general UX principles apply to mission-critical systems.

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your workflow within Figma, including components, prototyping, and collaboration features.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for scenario-based questions related to designing for complex systems, managing stakeholder expectations, or resolving design conflicts within an Agile framework.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and their rationale, linking them to user needs and business/mission objectives.

• Understand the basics of AI/ML and data platforms to better frame your UX solutions within the context of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily weigh the portfolio and the ability to articulate a structured, data-informed UX process, especially within the context of complex, regulated environments like DoD. Demonstrating operational thinking in design is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (explicitly mentioned), Adobe XD, Sketch. Proficiency in creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes is essential.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira (preferred), Confluence, Asana, Trello. Experience with Agile tools for tracking tasks, user stories, and project progress.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting usability testing, user interviews, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and potentially specialized platform analytics to understand user behavior and performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data feeds into CRM or other enterprise systems for operational tracking can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is preferred for effective collaboration with developers, ensuring smooth operational handoffs from design to code.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Agile tools like Jira indicates the need for proficiency in modern UX workflows and project management methodologies. Understanding how these tools integrate into broader development and operational processes is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the mission objectives of DoD clients, ensuring that user experience directly contributes to operational success and national security.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high standards in design and user experience, while also embracing innovative solutions to complex problems in the defense technology space.

• Collaboration & Camaraderie: Fostering a supportive team environment where cross-functional collaboration is encouraged, and individuals feel empowered to contribute their best work.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data from user research, analytics, and performance metrics to inform design choices and validate UX strategies, ensuring an objective approach to operations.

• Adaptability & Agility: Embracing the dynamic nature of defense projects and Agile development, being ready to adapt designs and processes based on evolving requirements and feedback.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactively engaging with product managers, engineers, data scientists, and clients to ensure a holistic understanding of requirements and constraints, fostering seamless operational integration.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and frequent communication to share insights, provide feedback, and resolve issues efficiently within the development lifecycle.

• User-Centric Advocacy: Championing the user's perspective throughout the design and development process, ensuring that user needs are balanced with technical feasibility and mission requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely emphasizes professionalism, technical rigor, and a results-oriented approach, aligned with the demands of government contracting. The mention of "support and camaraderie" suggests a positive internal dynamic that complements the serious nature of their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Systems: The primary challenge will be translating highly technical and complex DoD AI/ML platform capabilities into intuitive and usable interfaces for diverse user groups. This requires deep understanding and strategic simplification.

• Navigating DoD Requirements: Working within the stringent requirements, security protocols, and bureaucratic processes of DoD projects can be challenging, demanding adaptability and meticulous attention to detail.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing the expectations and requirements of multiple stakeholders, including technical teams, product managers, and end-users within the DoD, requires strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Remote Collaboration: Ensuring effective collaboration and maintaining a strong sense of team cohesion in a fully remote environment can present operational hurdles that require proactive management.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Knowledge: Gaining in-depth expertise in AI/ML, data platforms, and the specific operational needs of DoD end-users.

• Advanced UX Techniques: Developing advanced skills in areas like generative design, AI-assisted UX, and complex data visualization.

• Agile & Program Management: Enhancing understanding of Agile frameworks (Scrum, SAFe) and potentially project/program management principles relevant to large-scale government projects.

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing relevant certifications that validate expertise in UX design, product management, or Agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to high-impact roles in specialized industries. DPRA's commitment to "vast learning opportunities" suggests a supportive environment for professionals looking to grow and overcome these challenges.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly technical capability into a simple user workflow. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your systematic approach and operational impact.)

• "How do you approach gathering requirements from diverse stakeholders, especially when they have conflicting needs, within a DoD context?" (Highlight your JAD session experience and stakeholder management strategies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with DoD clients and AI/ML platforms specifically?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the mission's importance.)

• "How do you envision contributing to our team's collaborative and flexible work environment as a remote employee?" (Emphasize proactivity, communication, and team integration.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear beginning (problem/objective), middle (process/solutions), and end (outcome/impact).

• Focus on Process, Not Just Pixels: Detail your thought process, the research conducted, the design decisions made, and how you collaborated operationally to achieve the final design.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness and operational value of your UX solutions.

• Address Technical Integration: Explain how your designs were implemented and how you collaborated with development teams to ensure successful integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured, process-driven approach to UX design, with a clear understanding of how user experience directly impacts operational efficiency and mission success, particularly within the defense sector.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on DPRA's career portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with DoD programs, AI/ML platforms, complex enterprise systems, and specific UX methodologies (Figma, JAD sessions, usability testing). Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your ability to translate technical concepts into user-centric designs for complex systems. Ensure it clearly outlines your process, tools used, and quantifiable results.

• Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your role, the challenges, your problem-solving approach, and the operational impact of your solutions. Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma and Agile methodologies.

• Research DPRA: Understand DPRA's mission, their work in the defense sector, and their company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, the platform, and the operational challenges.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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