Junior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer

Company: REI Systems

Location: Sterling, Virginia (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative Services / Marketing Operations Support

Date Posted: August 05, 2026

Experience Level: 1-3 years (Junior)

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the Creative Services team in developing compelling visual assets for marketing campaigns, internal communications, and proposal efforts.

• Translate complex technical information into clear, modern, and intuitive graphics for proposals and presentations.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and design a wide range of materials, including digital advertisements, social media graphics, landing pages, print collateral, and event banners.

• Uphold and advocate for REI Systems' corporate brand identity across all design projects, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.

• Leverage AI tools to enhance the quality and efficiency of design processes, particularly within the capture lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is titled "Junior Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and preferred qualifications indicate a need for a designer with emerging expertise in technical illustration and proposal graphics, common in GTM (Go-To-Market) and Sales Operations support functions within government contracting firms like REI Systems. The emphasis on AI tools also suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a diverse array of marketing and promotional materials, including social media graphics, digital advertisements, website banners, landing pages, brochures, flyers, posters, event signage, and presentation decks.

• Conceptualize, develop, and execute visually engaging marketing campaigns that span multiple platforms and mediums, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

• Transform complex technical data and solutions into easily understandable, modern, and compelling proposal graphics, from initial concept through final delivery.

• Actively participate in strategic meetings with designers, marketing teams, and proposal managers to understand project requirements, capture the core message, and develop impactful visual solutions.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, effectively prioritizing workload and meeting simultaneous deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Communicate design concepts and project status clearly and effectively to internal stakeholders and external clients, presenting work with confidence and professionalism.

• Proactively incorporate feedback from designers, leadership, and clients throughout the iterative design process to ensure final deliverables meet and exceed expectations.

• Demonstrate a high level of accuracy, meticulous attention to detail, and robust time management skills, particularly in a deadline-driven context.

• Champion and meticulously maintain the REI Systems corporate brand identity, ensuring consistent application of brand elements across all design outputs and digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical support function for REI Systems' Go-To-Market (GTM) and Sales enablement efforts. The emphasis on proposal graphics and transforming technical content directly aligns with supporting federal contract bids, a core revenue-generating activity for the company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, or a closely related creative field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Experience: 1-3 years of professional graphic design experience in a corporate or agency setting.

Required Skills:

• Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Design Fundamentals: Strong understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, layout, and visual hierarchy.

• Marketing Design: Proven ability to design effective marketing collateral, digital advertisements, and social media graphics.

• Infographic Design: Skill in translating complex information into clear and visually appealing infographics.

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines independently.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Client Interaction: Comfort and competence in presenting design concepts and work to clients and internal stakeholders.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and quality in all deliverables.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a team environment, contributing ideas and receiving feedback constructively.

• Brand Management: Understanding of brand guidelines and the importance of maintaining brand consistency.

Preferred Skills:

• Proposal Graphics: Experience designing graphics specifically for government proposals and technical presentations.

• Federal IT Industry: Familiarity with the federal IT sector and its unique design communication needs.

• Web Design Tools: Experience with WordPress, Divi, and/or HubSpot for website design and management.

• Motion Graphics/Video: Proficiency with Adobe Premiere and After Effects for video editing and motion graphics.

• Photography/Videography: Experience in photography or videography, including shooting and editing.

• AI Design Tools: Familiarity or experience using AI tools to enhance design workflows and accelerate content creation.

• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on proposal graphics and federal IT experience, coupled with AI tool familiarity, suggests a specialized niche within graphic design that supports business development and GTM operations. The preferred skills point towards a candidate who can contribute to a broader range of visual communication needs, including video and web.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 1-3 years of professional design work, with a strong emphasis on marketing collateral, digital media, typography, and infographics.

• Specific examples of transforming complex technical information into clear, engaging visual representations (e.g., proposal graphics, technical illustrations, data visualizations).

• Demonstrations of understanding and application of brand guidelines, with examples of maintaining brand consistency across various projects.

• Evidence of project management capabilities, such as managing multiple design projects from concept to completion, with clear indication of individual contributions.

• Case studies or examples that highlight the design process, including initial concept development, iteration based on feedback, and final delivery. Process Documentation:

• Applicants are expected to articulate their design process clearly, detailing how they approach new projects, gather requirements, develop concepts, incorporate feedback, and finalize deliverables.

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of workflow optimization in design, showing how efficiency was achieved or how complex projects were managed effectively.

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they ensure quality control and accuracy in their design work, particularly when dealing with technical content or strict brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role supporting GTM and proposal efforts, a portfolio is paramount. It serves as tangible proof of design capabilities and process. The emphasis on transforming technical content is key, as this is a common requirement in government contracting, where complex solutions need clear visual communication.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year.

Explanation of Range: This range is based on the provided compensation details and is typical for a Junior Graphic Designer role with 1-3 years of experience in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering the hybrid work model and the specific industry (Government IT/Consulting). The range reflects the need for proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and the ability to support proposal efforts.

Benefits:

• Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP), providing direct participation in company growth and success.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Financial Wellness: Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions, 401(k) plan with a company match of 50% on the employee’s first 5% of contributions.

• Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and disability insurance.

• Work-Life Balance: Hybrid work arrangement, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), and 11 paid holidays.

• Personal Growth: Wellness programs, mental health support, and opportunities for professional development.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours, with occasional overtime potentially required to meet critical deadlines. The hybrid model allows for 2 days per week in the Sterling, VA office, with the remaining days remote.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ESOP benefit is a significant differentiator for REI Systems, offering employees a unique stake in the company's success. The comprehensive benefits package, including health, financial, and work-life balance components, is competitive for the industry and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government Contracting. REI Systems specializes in delivering technology solutions and advisory services to federal government clients, focusing on areas like application modernization, grants management, data analytics, and AI integration.

Company Size: REI Systems is a well-established mid-sized company, likely employing between 500-1,000 individuals based on typical industry profiles for companies with such a specialized focus and history. This size offers a balance of structured processes and opportunities for individual impact.

Founded: REI Systems was founded in 1984, bringing decades of experience and a stable foundation in supporting federal missions. This long history suggests a culture of reliability, expertise, and long-term client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The Junior Graphic Designer will be part of the Creative Services team, which is a specialized unit within a larger department (likely Marketing or Business Development/Capture).

• This team likely operates collaboratively, with designers supporting various internal departments and external client-facing initiatives, such as marketing campaigns and proposal development.

• The role will involve close collaboration with proposal managers, capture managers, technical subject matter experts, and other marketing professionals. Methodology:

• Mindful Modernization®: REI Systems employs this proprietary approach, emphasizing strategic alignment of technology, processes, and people to achieve measurable outcomes for clients. This suggests a results-oriented and structured methodology.

• AI Integration: The company is actively integrating AI into its operations, particularly in the capture lifecycle, indicating a forward-thinking and innovative approach to leveraging technology for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Data-Driven Insights: As a technology solutions provider, REI Systems likely emphasizes data analytics and evidence-based decision-making across its projects and internal operations.

Company Website: www.REIsystems.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on federal clients and its proprietary "Mindful Modernization®" approach indicate a structured, results-oriented culture. The emphasis on AI integration is a key differentiator and suggests a dynamic environment for a designer who can adapt to new technologies and workflows.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Junior level, serving as an entry point into specialized design support for government contracting operations. It's a foundational role focused on executing designs under guidance and developing core competencies.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Services Manager or a Senior Graphic Designer, who will provide direction, mentorship, and project assignments.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness of REI Systems' GTM strategy by enhancing the visual appeal and clarity of marketing materials and, crucially, proposal documents. High-quality proposal graphics can significantly influence bid win rates, contributing directly to revenue generation and company growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to develop deep expertise in proposal graphics, technical illustration, and data visualization, becoming a subject matter expert within the company.

• Advanced Technologies: Potential to gain experience with emerging AI design tools and advanced video/motion graphics software, expanding the technical skill set.

• Client Exposure: Increased exposure to client interactions and presentation opportunities as skills and confidence grow.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to a Mid-Level or Senior Graphic Designer role, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, and potentially mentoring junior team members.

• Cross-Functional Development: Opportunity to learn about the federal IT sector, capture management, and proposal development processes, broadening understanding of the business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a designer in this context is strongly tied to supporting revenue-generating activities like proposal development. Developing specialized skills in technical illustration and understanding the federal contracting lifecycle are key pathways for advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring 2 specific days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) at the REI Systems office in Sterling, VA. The remaining workdays can be performed remotely. This model is designed to balance in-person collaboration with individual flexibility.

Office Location(s): Sterling, Virginia. This location is within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, a hub for government contracting firms.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office days are intended for collaborative activities, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct interaction with colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a sense of team cohesion and facilitating real-time feedback.

• Technology-Enabled: Expect a work environment equipped with standard office technology and likely access to necessary design software and hardware, though remote work may require personal equipment.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The hybrid model facilitates opportunities to interact with various teams, including marketing, capture management, and proposal teams, providing exposure to different facets of the business.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time business hours are expected, with flexibility offered through the hybrid arrangement. Occasional overtime may be necessary to meet critical deadlines, particularly during proposal submission periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The defined hybrid schedule (Tuesdays and Wednesdays in office) is a specific detail that candidates should note for planning purposes. This structured approach to hybrid work is common in organizations that value both in-person collaboration and employee flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Technical Assessment: A potential skills test or a portfolio review session where you'll be asked to discuss your design process, specific project choices, and how you approach challenges like transforming technical content.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions designed to gauge your communication skills, collaboration style, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and how you handle feedback and deadlines. Be prepared to discuss scenarios related to client interaction and team collaboration.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, enthusiasm for the role, and understanding of REI Systems' mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that showcases marketing design, infographic creation, and especially examples of transforming complex technical information into clear visuals.

• Tell a Story: For each project, be ready to articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the tools used, the challenges faced, and the outcome or impact. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "contributed to a successful proposal bid").

• Showcase Technical Graphics: If you have examples of proposal graphics or technical illustrations, highlight these prominently. Explain how you interpreted technical requirements and translated them into visual assets.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Include a project where you adhered strictly to brand guidelines, or be prepared to discuss how you would approach this for REI Systems.

• Prepare for AI Discussion: Given REI's focus on AI, be ready to discuss any experience you have with AI design tools or how you envision AI impacting graphic design workflows.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Prompt: You may be given a hypothetical design challenge or asked to critique existing designs, focusing on clarity, impact, and brand adherence.

• Process Explanation: Be prepared to walk through your design process for a specific project in detail, explaining your rationale at each step.

• Stakeholder Scenarios: Practice answering questions about how you would handle conflicting feedback from different stakeholders or manage a tight deadline for a critical deliverable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and the potential for a design challenge are standard for creative roles. For this specific position, candidates should strongly emphasize their ability to handle technical content and their understanding of proposal graphics, as these are direct links to the company's revenue-generating activities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in Photoshop (image editing, digital graphics), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, illustrations), and InDesign (layout, print collateral, proposal documents).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in PowerPoint for presentations, Word for document integration, and potentially Excel for data visualization.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary data analysis role, an understanding of how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., for digital ads, landing pages) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics concepts is a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Web Content Management: Experience with WordPress, Divi, and/or HubSpot is preferred for website design and landing page creation.

• Marketing Automation: Familiarity with marketing automation platforms can be helpful for understanding how digital assets are deployed.

Emerging Technologies:

• AI Design Tools: Experience or willingness to learn and utilize AI-driven design tools for content generation, image enhancement, or workflow automation is highly valued.

• Video Production: Adobe Premiere and After Effects are preferred for video editing and motion graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite. The preferred tools like WordPress, Divi, HubSpot, and video editing software indicate a desire for a versatile designer who can contribute to a broader range of digital and multimedia projects, supporting integrated marketing efforts. The mention of AI tools is a forward-looking requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Reliability & Innovation: Reflecting REI Systems' mission, the team likely values delivering dependable, high-quality design solutions while also embracing innovative approaches and new technologies (like AI).

• Client Focus: A strong emphasis on understanding client needs and delivering creative solutions that meet strategic objectives and exceed expectations.

• Collaboration & Open Communication: Encouragement to share ideas freely, contribute to discussions, and work together to achieve the best outcomes, fostering a supportive and dynamic team environment.

• Quality & Attention to Detail: A commitment to producing accurate, polished, and brand-consistent work, particularly critical for proposal graphics and client-facing materials.

• Efficiency & Adaptability: The ability to manage multiple projects, adapt to changing requirements, and leverage tools (including AI) to work efficiently.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The design team works closely with marketing, capture teams, proposal managers, and subject matter experts to translate business needs into effective visual communications.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged among designers, leadership, and clients to refine and improve design deliverables iteratively.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share design insights, best practices, and learnings, especially regarding new tools or techniques, to elevate the team's overall capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of technical excellence, client service, and collaborative problem-solving, all within the context of supporting government contracting operations. The openness to sharing ideas and incorporating feedback is crucial for a junior role where learning and development are key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be to effectively visualize and simplify highly technical or complex government program information into clear, compelling graphics for proposals and presentations.

• Balancing Multiple Deadlines: Juggling concurrent projects for different stakeholders, each with its own set of priorities and deadlines, requires strong organizational and time management skills.

• Incorporating Diverse Feedback: Navigating and synthesizing feedback from various stakeholders, who may have differing opinions or visions for a design.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring adherence to REI Systems' corporate brand guidelines across a wide range of materials and mediums.

• Adapting to New Technologies: Staying current with design software updates and integrating new tools, such as AI-powered design assistants, into the workflow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepen expertise in technical illustration, data visualization, proposal graphics, and potentially motion graphics.

• Industry Knowledge: Gain a thorough understanding of the federal IT sector, government contracting processes, and the importance of design in the capture lifecycle.

• AI Integration: Develop practical skills in using AI tools to enhance design efficiency and creativity.

• Presentation & Communication: Enhance client-facing communication and presentation skills through regular interaction and feedback.

• Mentorship: Receive guidance from senior designers and access professional development resources provided by REI Systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the nature of supporting a government contractor, requiring a designer to be both creative and highly analytical. The growth opportunities are geared towards specialization and adapting to the evolving technological landscape within the industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex technical concept and transforming it into a clear visual representation. Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Focus on your methodology, problem-solving, and ability to simplify.)

• "How do you prioritize your workload when managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines? Walk us through a time you successfully managed this." (Highlight organizational skills, time management, and communication.)

• "Imagine you receive conflicting feedback on a design from a proposal manager and a technical lead. How would you approach resolving this and moving forward?" (Assess your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different types of collateral, from digital ads to print materials?" (Demonstrate your understanding of brand guidelines and attention to detail.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for REI Systems, particularly in supporting government clients?" (Research REI's mission, values, and recent projects.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a team, especially in a hybrid work environment?" (Emphasize your ability to contribute ideas and work effectively with others.)

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new software, including emerging AI tools?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning and adaptability.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Start with a brief overview of your background, then present 3-4 key projects. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the process, challenges, and the outcome.

• Highlight Technical Graphics: Dedicate specific time to discuss projects where you created proposal graphics or translated complex data. Explain your thought process for simplifying and visualizing the information.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any positive outcomes related to your designs (e.g., "this graphic helped clarify the solution, contributing to a successful proposal").

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, your ability to take direction, and how you handle feedback. Be confident and articulate in your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills, but also the ability to integrate into a professional operations environment, support revenue-generating activities, and adapt to the specific needs of a government contractor.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application directly through the REI Systems careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with Adobe Creative Suite, marketing design, infographic creation, and any experience with proposal graphics or technical illustration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest and most relevant projects, ensuring it showcases your ability to create compelling marketing materials and, critically, to translate complex technical information into clear visuals. Be prepared to discuss your process and outcomes.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research REI Systems' mission, values, and recent projects. Practice articulating your design process and how you handle collaboration and feedback, especially in a hybrid setting.

• Understand the Role's Impact: Be ready to discuss how your design skills can contribute to REI Systems' success in winning federal contracts and supporting their GTM efforts.

⚠️ 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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