UX Manager - TS/SCI w/poly

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Manager - TS/SCI w/poly

Company: General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)

Location: Annapolis Junction, MD, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Management / Operations

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of UX Designers, Researchers, and Writers to deliver exceptional user experiences across digital products and platforms.

• Define, enforce, and evolve UX standards, design guidelines, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality in user-facing applications.

• Drive UX strategy in alignment with overarching business goals, collaborating closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and key stakeholders.

• Prioritize UX initiatives, allocate team resources effectively, and advocate for the user's perspective throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Measure and report on the impact of UX initiatives, utilizing usability metrics, engagement data, and customer satisfaction feedback to demonstrate value.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary function is UX Management, the emphasis on driving strategy, measuring impact, and collaborating with engineering and product teams places this role firmly within a GTM/Product Operations context, requiring a blend of design leadership and operational execution. The "TS/SCI w/poly" clearance is a critical differentiator, indicating a role supporting sensitive government or defense projects.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a team of UX professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• UX Strategy & Governance: Define and enforce UX standards, design guidelines, and best practices across all digital products.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Managers, Engineers, and stakeholders to ensure UX efforts are integrated with business objectives and technical realities.

• User Advocacy: Champion the user's needs and perspective at all organizational levels, ensuring user-centered design principles are applied.

• Initiative Prioritization & Resource Allocation: Drive UX strategy across multiple products or platforms, prioritizing initiatives and managing team resources effectively.

• Design Oversight & Quality Assurance: Review design deliverables (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to ensure quality, consistency, usability, and adherence to established standards.

• Performance Measurement & Reporting: Measure and report on UX impact, including usability metrics, user engagement, customer satisfaction, and alignment with key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Agile Integration: Actively participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, ensuring UX is a core component of sprint planning, execution, and review.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Promote and ensure adherence to accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for process definition and enforcement (UX standards, guidelines) and performance measurement (usability metrics, engagement, satisfaction), which are core to operations roles. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management is also a key operations skill.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5+ years of related experience in User Experience (UX) design, research, or a related field.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding of UX design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and usability best practices.

• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team of UX professionals.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams.

• Design Tools Proficiency: Experience with industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or equivalent.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and rationale clearly.

• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Experience working within Agile or Scrum product development environments.

• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret SCI with Polygraph clearance.

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Skills:

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Experience with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive design principles.

• Design Systems: Familiarity with building and maintaining design systems and UX governance frameworks.

• Analytics Tools: Experience using analytics tools to track user behavior and measure UX performance.

• Product Environment Background: Background in IT, software development, or SaaS product environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The blend of UX expertise with leadership and operational responsibilities (metrics, Agile, stakeholder management) suggests a candidate who can not only design but also manage the operational aspects of UX delivery, especially within a government contracting context requiring specific clearances.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Leadership Case Studies: Showcase examples of leading UX teams, managing projects, and driving UX strategy with measurable outcomes.

• Process Improvement Examples: Demonstrate instances where you defined or improved UX processes, workflows, or design standards, highlighting the impact.

• System Integration Experience: Provide evidence of how UX considerations were integrated into broader system development lifecycles, particularly within complex IT or software environments.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Showcase: Include examples of successful collaboration with engineering, product management, and business stakeholders, illustrating how you aligned user needs with technical and business objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Present examples of designing or optimizing user workflows and information architecture, emphasizing efficiency and user effectiveness.

• Implementation & Automation: Illustrate how UX principles were applied during the implementation phase of projects, and any use of automation in design or research processes.

• Measurement & Analysis: Showcase how you've established metrics for UX success, analyzed performance data, and used insights to iterate on designs and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Manager role, especially in a government contracting environment, a portfolio should not only showcase design work but also leadership capabilities, process definition, and the ability to measure and articulate the impact of UX on project success and business objectives. The clearance requirement may also influence the types of projects that can be detailed.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated salary range for this position is $153,000 - $207,000 annually.

• Note: This range is an estimate and may vary based on factors such as candidate experience, geographic location, and specific contractual requirements.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
  • Dental plan options.
  • Vision plan.

• Retirement Savings:

  • 401(k) plan with a company match, allowing for pre and post-tax contributions up to IRS limits.

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Full flex work weeks where possible.
  • Generous paid time off (PTO) package including vacation, sick, and personal time.
  • Paid holidays.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • Military leave.
  • Bereavement leave.
  • Jury duty leave.

• Income Protection:

  • Short-term and long-term disability benefits.
  • Life insurance.
  • Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
  • Personal accident insurance.
  • Critical illness insurance.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week.

• Telecommuting Options: Onsite only.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed salary range is provided by the employer. For Annapolis Junction, MD, a highly competitive area for cleared professionals, this range aligns with senior management roles in tech and UX, especially those requiring specialized clearances. The benefits package is extensive, reflecting standard offerings for large government contractors.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology and professional services, specifically serving government, defense, and intelligence communities. GDIT is a major player in digital modernization, AI/ML, Cloud, Cyber, and application development for U.S. government agencies.

Company Size: GDIT is a large enterprise, employing approximately 30,000 experts across 50 countries. This size suggests extensive resources, established processes, and opportunities for large-scale impact.

Founded: GDIT has a long history rooted in government contracting, with its current structure evolving through significant mergers and acquisitions, indicating a stable yet dynamic organization.

Team Structure:

• UX Team: The UX Manager leads a dedicated team of UX Designers, Researchers, and Writers, likely integrated within larger project teams or product development groups.

• Reporting Structure: Typically, a UX Manager would report to a Director of Product, VP of Engineering, or a similar senior leadership role overseeing product development or digital transformation initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Product Managers, Software Engineers, Project Managers, business analysts, and government stakeholders. The TS/SCI w/poly clearance implies working on highly sensitive and critical projects, necessitating strong trust and communication.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Operations: GDIT emphasizes leveraging technology and data to create value. For UX, this means a strong focus on analytics, user behavior tracking, and performance metrics to inform design decisions and demonstrate impact.

• Agile & Iterative Development: The company operates within Agile/Scrum environments, requiring UX to be adaptable, iterative, and integrated into sprint cycles.

• User-Centered & Mission-Focused: While user experience is paramount, GDIT's mission-driven context means UX also needs to align with critical government objectives and security requirements.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's focus on government and defense contracts means the operational environment is likely structured, process-oriented, and highly security-conscious. The "TS/SCI w/poly" requirement is a significant factor shaping team dynamics and project scope.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior management role within the UX discipline, bridging design leadership with operational oversight. It requires not only strong UX acumen but also the ability to manage people, drive strategy, and integrate UX into broader business and technical operations.

Reporting Structure: The UX Manager will likely report to a Director or VP level within product development, engineering, or a dedicated digital transformation office. Direct reports will be UX professionals.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of critical digital products used by government entities. Success in this role contributes to mission success, operational efficiency for end-users, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level UX roles, managing larger teams or multiple product portfolios, or into broader product management or GTM operations leadership positions.

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like design systems, accessibility, AI/ML interfaces, or UX research methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to transition into related operational roles (e.g., Product Operations, Program Management) within GDIT, leveraging transferable skills in process, strategy, and stakeholder management.

• Learning & Development: GDIT offers AI-powered career tools and an internal mobility team to support career pathing and skill development, alongside access to industry conferences and training.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a cleared professional in a large organization like GDIT, career progression is often tied to project success, demonstrated leadership, and the ability to take on increasing responsibility within sensitive environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Onsite" in Annapolis Junction, MD. This indicates a traditional office setting within GDIT facilities, likely designed for secure operations.

Office Location(s): The primary location is 2711 Technology Dr, Annapolis Junction, MD. This area is a hub for government contractors and technology firms in the Maryland region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office space will likely support collaboration, with meeting rooms, team spaces, and potentially open-plan areas conducive to working with a UX team and cross-functional partners.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to GDIT's standard IT infrastructure, design software, collaboration tools, and potentially specialized secure systems required for government projects.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with direct reports (UX team) and frequent engagement with engineers, product managers, and other project stakeholders. The secure nature of the work may influence the types of collaboration tools used.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with a focus on delivering against project timelines and sprint commitments. Flexibility may be available depending on project phase and team needs, but the onsite requirement is firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Onsite" requirement and the TS/SCI w/poly clearance suggest a work environment that prioritizes security, data protection, and potentially more structured work patterns compared to typical commercial tech environments.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and clearance status.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about UX leadership experience, team management, strategic thinking, and understanding of GDIT's mission-driven context.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely present a curated portfolio showcasing leadership in UX, process definition, and impact. This may include case studies of complex projects, demonstrating problem-solving, collaboration, and user-centric methodologies. Expect to discuss how you’ve measured UX success.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential peers (engineers, product managers) and possibly senior leadership to assess cultural fit, collaborative style, and technical/operational acumen.

• Final Evaluation: Comprehensive review of all feedback, focusing on leadership potential, operational efficiency, and ability to thrive in a secure, mission-focused environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Leadership & Impact: Prioritize case studies demonstrating your ability to lead teams, define and improve processes, and achieve measurable UX outcomes aligned with business or mission goals.

• Process & Strategy Emphasis: Highlight instances where you've developed UX strategies, implemented design systems, or optimized UX workflows. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "improved task completion rate by X%", "reduced user errors by Y%").

• Collaboration Showcase: Illustrate how you've successfully partnered with engineering and product teams, navigated trade-offs, and advocated for user needs within a project lifecycle.

• Security Context Awareness: Be mindful of what can be shared publicly in your portfolio due to the TS/SCI w/poly requirement. Focus on transferable skills and methodologies rather than classified project details. You may be asked to discuss hypothetical scenarios or generalized project types.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Strategy Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a UX strategy for a new government application or modernizing an existing one, considering security, user needs, and technical constraints.

• Team Management Scenario: Anticipate questions about managing underperforming team members, resolving design conflicts, or fostering a positive team culture.

• Metrics & Reporting: Prepare to discuss how you would define and track key UX metrics for a government project and how you would report on UX performance to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The clearance requirement is a significant filter. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in secure environments and how they’ve managed projects and teams within such constraints. Portfolio content will need to be carefully curated.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or equivalent industry-standard tools. Proficiency in at least one is essential.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for user interviews, surveys, usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and affinity mapping.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, or similar platforms for Agile workflow management and team communication.

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to contribute to the creation and maintenance of design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar tools for tracking user behavior and engagement.

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, or other tools for creating dashboards and reporting on UX metrics.

• User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback, surveys, and NPS scores.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how UX integrates with CRM data or customer journey mapping tools may be beneficial.

• Automation tools relevant to design workflows or user research processes could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's focus on technology and government clients implies a robust, well-integrated technology stack. Proficiency in industry-standard UX tools is a given, but familiarity with analytics and project management tools used in enterprise and government settings is also crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to serving the U.S. government and contributing to national security objectives.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and security protocols due to the sensitive nature of the work.

• Excellence & Innovation: Driving for high-quality outcomes and seeking innovative solutions within defined parameters.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing collective effort and interdisciplinary cooperation to achieve complex goals.

• User-Centricity: Maintaining a strong focus on the end-user's needs and experience, even within a mission-critical context.

Collaboration Style:

• Structured & Process-Oriented: Collaboration will likely follow defined procedures and protocols, especially concerning security and data handling.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where UX, engineering, product management, and potentially security or compliance teams work closely together.

• Clear Communication: Emphasis on clear, concise, and documented communication to ensure alignment and mitigate risks in sensitive projects.

• Feedback Loops: An environment that encourages constructive feedback, particularly within Agile sprints, to continuously improve products and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: GDIT's culture is shaped by its government contracting role, emphasizing reliability, security, and mission achievement. The UX Manager will need to embody these values and foster them within their team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Security Constraints: Balancing user experience needs with stringent security requirements and clearance protocols can be complex.

• Legacy Systems & Technical Debt: Working within government environments may involve modernizing older systems, requiring careful planning and execution.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Managing diverse stakeholder expectations, including those from various government agencies, can be challenging.

• Demonstrating UX ROI: Quantifying the impact of UX on mission success and operational efficiency in government contexts can require innovative measurement strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Security Clearance Work: Continued opportunities to work on high-impact, classified projects.

• Leadership Development: GDIT's focus on career growth provides pathways for developing leadership skills in large-scale operations.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies applied within the defense and intelligence sectors.

• Specialized Training: Opportunities for training in areas like accessibility, advanced UX research, or specific government IT frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in the government contracting space, particularly with high-level clearances. Overcoming these challenges presents significant growth and learning opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you establish and maintain UX standards and a design system for a portfolio of government applications with varying levels of security?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance a user's needs with strict technical or security constraints. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you measure the impact of your UX team's work on the success of a government mission or program?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for GDIT and specifically on projects requiring TS/SCI clearances?"

• "How do you foster a collaborative and user-advocacy culture within a team that works on highly sensitive projects?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around key themes: Leadership, Process Improvement, UX Strategy, and Impact Measurement.

• Case Study Deep Dive: Select 2-3 impactful projects. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your role and approach, the UX solutions implemented, the challenges faced (especially security/technical), and the quantifiable results or lessons learned.

• Process Focus: Clearly explain any UX processes you defined or optimized, highlighting efficiency gains or quality improvements.

• Metrics & ROI: Be ready to discuss how you've measured success, using specific metrics and demonstrating the value UX brings to the project or business.

• Security Awareness: Be prepared to discuss your experience with secure environments conceptually, without revealing classified details. Focus on your ability to adapt UX practices to these constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews for cleared roles often delve deeper into operational processes, security awareness, and the ability to perform under specific constraints. Demonstrating a structured, data-informed, and collaborative approach is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the GDIT careers portal.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your UX leadership experience, team management achievements, experience with Agile methodologies, proficiency in design tools, and any relevant experience with government projects or secure environments. Explicitly mention your active TS/SCI w/poly clearance.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate a selection of your best work that demonstrates leadership, process definition, strategic thinking, and measurable UX impact. Be mindful of security restrictions on what can be shared.

• Research GDIT: Understand their mission, values, and the types of projects they undertake, especially within the defense and intelligence sectors.

• Practice your presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear communication, strategic articulation, and quantifying your achievements. Be ready to discuss how you would operate within a secure, mission-driven environment.

⚠️ 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.