Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: CALIBRE Systems, Inc.

Location: Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Other

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-15T15:30:19

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design visually engaging collateral for digital, print, presentation, and environmental applications to support corporate branding and marketing initiatives.

• Create compelling graphics for recruiting, internal communications, marketing campaigns, social media, events, and business development efforts, ensuring brand consistency.

• Develop impactful presentations that translate complex information into clear and visually compelling stories for diverse stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, communications, HR, recruiting, business development, and operations to deliver integrated visual solutions.

• Support client-facing projects with visual communications and deliverables, contributing to contract team success.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Corporate Communications and Marketing team, indicating a focus on internal and external brand representation. The hybrid nature suggests a need for strong self-management and communication skills, with opportunities to support both corporate and client-facing initiatives. The emphasis on "mission-focused solutions" and "digital transformation" hints at a dynamic environment where design plays a crucial role in conveying complex technical and strategic information.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually engaging materials across digital, print, presentation, and environmental formats, ensuring alignment with CALIBRE's brand guidelines.

• Produce graphics for a variety of purposes including recruitment drives, internal newsletters, marketing campaigns, social media content, event promotion, and business development proposals.

• Transform complex data and information into clear, concise, and compelling visual narratives through presentation design.

• Uphold and advance company branding initiatives, ensuring consistent application of visual identity across all communication channels.

• Partner effectively with internal stakeholders from marketing, communications, HR, recruiting, business development, operations, and leadership teams to understand their visual communication needs.

• Provide design support for client-facing projects, creating visual deliverables as required by contract teams.

• Prepare print-ready and digital-ready files that adhere to strict quality control and production standards.

• Edit, retouch, and optimize photographs, graphics, and other visual assets for various platforms and mediums.

• Maintain and organize digital asset libraries, design templates, and brand resource repositories for easy access and consistent use.

• Research and integrate new design approaches, emerging technologies, and AI-powered tools to enhance creative output and operational efficiency.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and effectively managing stakeholder expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core graphic design tasks with a strategic component of supporting business objectives through visual communication. The requirement to prepare print-ready and digital-ready files indicates a need for technical proficiency in file management and pre-press standards. The mention of AI-powered tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, or a related design discipline. Experience:

• 1-2 years of professional graphic design experience, including internships or co-op programs.

• Demonstrated experience in creating a variety of visual assets for both print and digital media. Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard design software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Microsoft PowerPoint Expertise: Proven ability to create visually compelling and informative presentations.

• Typography & Layout: Strong understanding of typographic principles, visual hierarchy, and effective layout design.

• Branding & Visual Identity: Ability to apply and maintain brand guidelines consistently across various design projects.

• Color Theory: Solid grasp of color principles and their application in design.

• Digital Design: Experience designing for web, social media, and other digital platforms.

• Print Design: Understanding of print production processes and requirements.

• Photo Editing & Image Optimization: Skilled in retouching and optimizing images for various uses.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective stakeholder interaction.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within a team and with cross-functional partners.

• Time Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design execution and file preparation.

• AI-Powered Tools: Familiarity or willingness to learn and utilize AI tools for design enhancement and efficiency.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and video editing software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Familiarity with UI/UX design principles.

• Experience with digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Knowledge of Section 508 compliance for accessibility in design.

• Experience in a corporate environment, particularly within the defense, technology, or government contracting sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize core design competencies with a strong focus on Adobe Creative Cloud and PowerPoint, essential for corporate communications. The inclusion of "AI-powered tools" as a required skill indicates a modern approach to design workflows. Preferred skills suggest potential growth paths within the company.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, including examples of digital collateral, print materials, and presentation decks.

• Demonstrations of how design solutions addressed specific project objectives or business needs.

• Evidence of strong conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving in design execution.

• Examples of brand application and consistency across different project types.

• Case studies detailing the design process, challenges, and outcomes, highlighting efficiency improvements where applicable. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes, including workflow for project intake, design execution, stakeholder review, and final file delivery.

• Experience in creating and utilizing design templates to ensure brand consistency and streamline production.

• Understanding of file management best practices for organizing and archiving design assets and project files.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evidence of design capability. The expectation is for a well-organized presentation that demonstrates not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to translate business requirements into effective visual solutions. The emphasis on process documentation points to a need for structured workflow management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 annually This salary range is based on the provided information and industry benchmarks for junior graphic designer roles in the Alexandria, VA area, considering the hybrid work model and the specific requirements of the position.

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): As an employee-owned company, CALIBRE offers employees the opportunity to own a stake in the company's success.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, and continuing education, particularly in design software and emerging technologies.

• Hybrid Work Environment: Flexibility combining remote work with in-office collaboration.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard business hours, with potential for occasional overtime depending on project demands).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a junior role in the DC metropolitan area. The ESOP is a significant benefit, aligning with the company's employee-owned structure and offering long-term financial potential. The inclusion of professional development aligns with the role's requirement to stay current with design tools and technologies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government Contracting, Digital Transformation, Professional Services. CALIBRE Systems, Inc. operates within a sector that requires precision, reliability, and a deep understanding of client missions, often within defense and federal agencies. This influences a culture that values expertise, collaboration, and mission focus.

Company Size: Mid-size company (typically 201-500 employees for CALIBRE Systems, Inc. based on general industry knowledge). This size often balances the agility of a smaller team with the resources and structure of a larger organization, allowing for direct impact and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: CALIBRE Systems, Inc. was founded in 1989. This history suggests a stable company with established processes and a long-standing reputation in its industry.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be part of the Corporate Communications and Marketing team. This team likely includes marketing specialists, communication managers, and potentially other designers or content creators.

• This role involves close collaboration with various corporate functions such as Human Resources (for recruiting materials), Business Development (for proposals and marketing collateral), Operations (for internal communications or process visualization), and Senior Leadership.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring the designer to engage with diverse stakeholders to understand their needs and deliver tailored visual solutions. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the design process is expected to be informed by objectives, target audiences, and brand strategy, aiming for measurable impact.

• Agile Project Management: Likely employs agile or iterative approaches for project delivery, enabling flexibility and responsiveness to evolving client and business needs.

• Collaborative Workflow: Emphasis on teamwork, feedback loops, and shared ownership of creative outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: Encouragement to explore new tools and techniques, including AI, to enhance design quality and efficiency.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CALIBRE's employee-owned status and focus on "mission-focused solutions" suggest a culture that values dedication, collaboration, and shared success. The company's long history provides a stable backdrop for a junior professional looking to grow. The design role is positioned as integral to communicating the company's value proposition and supporting its strategic objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Junior Graphic Designer. This entry-level position is designed for individuals with foundational design skills and a strong desire to learn and grow within a professional corporate setting. It offers exposure to a wide array of design applications and business functions.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer will report to a manager or lead within the Corporate Communications and Marketing team. This provides direct mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, contributing to CALIBRE's brand perception, business development efforts, employee engagement, and client communications. Effective visual design enhances clarity, professionalism, and brand recognition, directly supporting company objectives and mission delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to develop expertise in specific areas such as presentation design, digital marketing graphics, motion graphics, or even UI/UX design, based on project involvement and personal interest.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Deepen mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and explore advanced features, plugins, and emerging design technologies, including AI-driven tools.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain a deeper understanding of various business functions (e.g., HR, BD, Operations) and how design supports their specific goals.

• Client-Facing Experience: Potential to transition into roles with more direct client interaction or support for client proposal development.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and growth, opportunities may arise for senior designer roles, team lead positions, or management within the design or marketing functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a developmental opportunity. The company's structure and focus on mission-driven work provide a solid foundation for a junior designer to build a career. The emphasis on learning new tools and supporting diverse functions suggests a dynamic environment conducive to rapid skill acquisition and career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as a hybrid opportunity, meaning it will involve a combination of working from the company's office in Alexandria, VA, and working remotely. This suggests a structured approach to balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): 6361 Walker Lane, Suite 1100, Alexandria, VA. This location is likely within a business park or commercial area, offering accessibility and a professional setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is expected to foster collaboration among the Corporate Communications and Marketing team members and with other departments through planned meetings and informal interactions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and IT support will be provided. The company's commitment to exploring new technologies implies a modern tech stack.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and team meetings to ensure alignment on projects and company goals.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available within the hybrid model, but core hours for team collaboration and client interaction will likely be expected. The ability to manage time effectively is crucial for balancing remote and in-office responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requires individuals to be adaptable and self-motivated. The office environment in Alexandria, VA, suggests a professional setting conducive to focused work and team collaboration. This setup aims to provide the best of both worlds: flexibility and the benefits of in-person interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A dedicated session (potentially with a hiring manager or senior designer) to walk through your portfolio, discuss your design process, and potentially evaluate your technical proficiency in design software. This may include a brief design challenge or scenario-based questions.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Interviews with team members and management to assess your communication, collaboration, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within CALIBRE's employee-owned, mission-focused environment.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion with a higher-level executive or department head to confirm suitability and discuss career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your versatility across digital, print, and presentation design.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the outcome or impact. Use a problem-solution-result framework.

• Highlight Process: Show sketches, wireframes, or early concepts to demonstrate your thinking process.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples that highlight your proficiency in typography, layout, color theory, and software usage.

• Brand Consistency: If applicable, include projects where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to discuss your design choices, software proficiency, and how you handle feedback and collaboration.

• Tailor to CALIBRE: If possible, include a project that demonstrates an understanding of corporate communications, government contracting, or technology-related design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Fundamentals: Be prepared for questions or tasks related to core design principles like visual hierarchy, color theory, and typography.

• Software Proficiency: Expect questions about your experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and PowerPoint.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about how you would approach a design request with ambiguous requirements or tight deadlines.

• Brand Application: Be ready to discuss how you would adapt a design to fit specific brand guidelines or create new assets within an existing brand system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus heavily on the portfolio as the primary indicator of design capability. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design thinking and process in detail. Understanding CALIBRE's mission and industry will be beneficial in tailoring responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Critical for presentation design.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro: For preparing print-ready and digital-ready files, and potentially PDF form creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a Junior Graphic Designer, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital assets, attendance at events with promotional materials) can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with basic analytics tools used by marketing teams (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics dashboards) may be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are typically used by graphic designers, but understanding how marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) utilize design assets can provide context.

• Familiarity with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems for organizing and distributing creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Microsoft PowerPoint is non-negotiable. The company's openness to new technologies suggests that familiarity with emerging design tools or AI-powered creative platforms would be a strong plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the company's mission and client objectives through high-quality work.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual support across departments.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding ethical standards and taking ownership of responsibilities.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the exploration of new ideas, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Employee Ownership: A culture where every employee has a stake in the company's success and contributes to its growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with marketing, communications, HR, business development, and operations teams, acting as partners in achieving shared goals.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that values constructive feedback and iterative design processes to refine creative outputs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, new techniques, and insights within the team and across the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values of CALIBRE, particularly employee ownership and mission focus, likely shape a collaborative and accountable work environment. Designers are expected to be team players who understand how their creative output contributes to broader business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing design requests from various departments, each with potentially different priorities and creative visions.

• Translating Complex Information: Simplifying intricate technical or strategic concepts into easily digestible and visually appealing graphics and presentations.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring adherence to brand guidelines across a wide array of materials and applications, especially as the company grows.

• Keeping Pace with Design Trends & Technology: Continuously learning new software features, design styles, and emerging technologies like AI to remain relevant and efficient.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to internal and external training programs for Adobe Creative Suite, new design software, and emerging technologies.

• Industry Conferences: Potential to attend design conferences or workshops to gain insights from industry leaders and network with peers.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced designers and marketing professionals within the Corporate Communications and Marketing team.

• Project Diversity: Exposure to a wide range of design projects, from internal communications to high-stakes business development proposals, offering broad skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to overcome challenges by developing strong project management, communication, and adaptability skills. The company's commitment to continuous learning and development supports professional growth in a rapidly evolving field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex piece of information for a non-technical audience. How did you approach it?" (Focus on simplification, visual storytelling, and audience consideration.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different types of collateral?" (Discuss your understanding of brand guidelines, templates, and stakeholder communication.)

• "Walk me through a project in your portfolio that you're particularly proud of. What was the objective, your process, and the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed narrative for 1-2 key projects.)

• "How do you handle creative feedback from stakeholders, especially if you disagree with it?" (Emphasize professionalism, active listening, and finding collaborative solutions.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CALIBRE Systems and our mission?" (Research the company's work in defense, technology, and digital transformation.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to an employee-owned company culture?" (Highlight teamwork, shared success, and accountability.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote environment. How do you stay productive and connected?" (Focus on self-management, communication tools, and proactive engagement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (digital, print, presentations) or by showcasing your strongest conceptual work first.

• Narrative: For each project, prepare a concise story: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Result. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%," "streamlined process saving Y hours").

• Visuals: Ensure your presentation is visually clean and professional, reflecting your design skills. Use high-quality images and clear typography.

• Software Demonstration: Be prepared to briefly discuss your proficiency in specific software and potentially answer questions about your workflow within those tools.

• Conciseness: Respect the interviewer's time. Aim for a presentation that can be covered within the allocated timeframe, leaving ample room for discussion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design talent but also the ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and understand business objectives. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, requiring a well-rehearsed narrative that highlights problem-solving and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided SilkRoad job portal link.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio that clearly showcases your best work across digital, print, and presentation design. Ensure it highlights your process, problem-solving skills, and understanding of branding. Prepare a concise narrative for each project.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft PowerPoint, and your experience with typography, layout, and visual hierarchy. Quantify achievements where possible and highlight any experience with corporate communications or government contracting.

• Interview Practice: Practice articulating your design process and choices using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to be smooth and engaging.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research CALIBRE Systems, Inc., understanding their mission, services, and values. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the team, company culture, and opportunities for growth.

⚠️ 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.