Product Designer / UX Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer / UX Engineer

Company: 2 Twelve Solutions

Location: Reston, Virginia & Crystal City, Virginia & Navy Yard, DC (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX Engineering

Date Posted: June 11, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years Professional Experience (with demonstrated leadership)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the complete product design lifecycle for critical mission applications and Command & Control (C2) platforms, from user research to final developer hand-off.

• Drive innovation and user-centric solutions within a dynamic, mission-focused environment, leveraging cutting-edge design tools and methodologies.

• Foster a collaborative design culture by building and maintaining robust design systems and component libraries for enhanced consistency and scalability.

• Actively mentor junior designers, contribute to team growth through hiring, and present UX strategies to senior leadership.

• Integrate emerging AI tools into design workflows to optimize user insights, accelerate delivery, and enhance product functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a defense and intelligence-focused technology company (Bcore Labs, as per description), requiring a strong understanding of complex, data-dense operational environments and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. The "Hybrid remote" status with specific locations (Crystal City, VA / Navy Yard, DC) suggests a need for on-site presence for key meetings and collaborations, balanced with remote work flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead end-to-end product design for mission-critical applications and C2 platforms, encompassing user research, wireframing, high-fidelity prototyping, and seamless developer hand-off.

• Conduct comprehensive user research and gather requirements from product owners, operators, and program stakeholders to define user goals, needs, and performance expectations.

• Develop detailed user experience workflows, user-type definitions, and step-by-step interaction flows to clearly articulate product functionality and user journeys.

• Create compelling visual mockups, interactive prototypes, and comprehensive design documentation using Figma and Sketch, ensuring alignment with customer needs and overarching business objectives.

• Establish and maintain shareable design systems and component libraries to guarantee consistency, scalability, and accuracy across all product interfaces and teams.

• Collaborate proactively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and technical writers, to promote open communication and facilitate rapid issue resolution.

• Conduct regular design reviews with internal and external stakeholders to present progress, solicit feedback, and align on strategic design direction.

• Present UX findings, design rationales, and facilitate critical design discussions with senior client and company leadership.

• Mentor junior designers, provide guidance on onboarding and curriculum development, and actively contribute to team expansion through interviewing and hiring efforts.

• Support business development initiatives and product demonstrations by creating impactful prototypes, concept visuals, and product playbooks that highlight value propositions and competitive differentiators.

• Integrate AI tools strategically into the design and software development lifecycle to optimize workflows, enhance user insight analysis, and accelerate overall delivery timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level role requiring leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "mission applications and C2 platforms" points towards a need for experience in complex, operational environments, often found in defense or government sectors. The mention of "AI tools into the design and software development lifecycle" highlights a forward-thinking approach to design and a requirement for candidates to be adept with emerging technologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Design, HCI, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience).

Experience: Minimum of 8+ years of professional UI/UX or product design experience, with a proven track record of demonstrated design leadership.

Required Skills:

• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain a Secret clearance is mandatory.

• Design Leadership: Proven experience leading the full product design lifecycle from discovery and research through implementation and developer hand-off.

• Tool Proficiency: Expert proficiency in design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma and Sketch.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and successfully shipped interfaces.

• Complex Environments: Experience designing for complex, data-dense, or operational environments such as command-and-control (C2) systems, enterprise applications, or edge computing solutions.

• Design Systems: Hands-on experience building, maintaining, and scaling design systems and reusable component libraries.

• Agile & Development: Strong understanding of front-end development practices and Agile methodologies, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams.

• Communication & Facilitation: Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with a demonstrated ability to present to and build rapport with senior stakeholders.

• Mentorship: Demonstrated experience mentoring junior designers and directing the work of a design team.

Preferred Skills:

• Government Experience: Experience supporting U.S. Government, DoD, or Intelligence Community programs.

• AI/LLM Integration: Familiarity with integrating AI/LLM tools (e.g., Claude Code) into design and development workflows.

• Defense Customer Design: Specific experience designing for defense customers.

• Business Development Support: Background producing prototypes and concept visuals to support business development, product demonstrations, and sales efforts.

• Graphic Design: Additional graphic design and brand/communications experience across digital and print media.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Secret clearance is a critical gatekeeper. The 8+ years of experience combined with "demonstrated design leadership" solidifies this as a senior or lead position. The "desired qualifications" strongly suggest the company operates within the defense and government contracting sector, making experience in these areas highly advantageous. Familiarity with AI tools is explicitly called out, indicating a contemporary approach to design challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating mastery of the entire product design lifecycle, from initial problem definition and user research to final, shipped product.

• Problem/Solution Articulation: Clearly articulate the user problem or business challenge addressed in each project, followed by a detailed explanation of the design solution.

• Process Documentation: Illustrate your design process, including user research methodologies, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative refinements.

• Visual Design Excellence: Present high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes that demonstrate strong visual design principles, UI aesthetics, and attention to detail.

• Systemic Thinking: Include examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, component libraries, and style guides, highlighting their impact on consistency and scalability.

• Collaboration & Handoff: Detail your collaboration with product managers and engineers, and provide examples of developer hand-off documentation.

• Impact Metrics: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs with relevant metrics (e.g., improved user task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased engagement).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of designing user-centric workflows that optimize task completion and user satisfaction within complex operational environments.

• System Implementation: Examples of how design decisions were translated into functional user interfaces, considering technical constraints and front-end development practices.

• Design System Management: Documentation of how design systems were built, maintained, and scaled to ensure consistency across multiple products or features.

• User Research Synthesis: Methods for synthesizing user research findings into actionable design insights and product requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of this role and the emphasis on leading design efforts, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just individual design skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex projects and collaborate effectively. The inclusion of design systems and complex environments is crucial for assessment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $130,000 - $170,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

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

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Support for obtaining and maintaining security clearances.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for occasional overtime depending on project demands and deadlines. Flexibility is offered within a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the location (Reston, VA/Crystal City, VA/Navy Yard, DC), experience level (8+ years with leadership), and industry (Technology/Government Contracting), a salary range of $130,000 to $170,000 is estimated. This range reflects the high cost of living in the DC metropolitan area and the specialized skills required for a Product Designer/UX Engineer with clearance eligibility and design leadership experience. The benefits are typical for a full-time professional role in this sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Services & Consulting, with a strong focus on supporting Government, Defense, and Intelligence Community clients. The company emphasizes innovation, rapid prototyping, and delivering mission-ready solutions.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the presence of a dedicated "Bcore Labs" division suggests a substantial organization capable of housing specialized innovation units. Typically, companies of this nature supporting government contracts range from mid-sized (200-1000 employees) to large enterprises.

Founded: The company was founded in 2012. This indicates a decade of experience and established presence in the market, suggesting a stable yet evolving organization.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer/UX Engineer will likely be part of a larger Product Development or Engineering team, potentially within a dedicated "Bcore Labs" innovation unit.

• This role involves collaboration with Product Managers, Software Engineers, Technical Writers, and potentially Data Scientists or AI specialists.

• The position reports to a Design Lead or Engineering Manager, with direct interaction with senior client and company leadership. Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team operates within Agile frameworks, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and rapid response to changing requirements.

• User-Centered Design: A strong focus on understanding and addressing user needs through research, prototyping, and iterative testing.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Design choices are informed by user research, performance data, and stakeholder feedback.

• Innovation Focus: The "Bcore Labs" context implies a culture that encourages experimentation, rapid prototyping, and the adoption of new technologies like AI.

Company Website: https://www.2twelvesolutions.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights a mission-driven culture centered on delivering "decisive advantage" through technology. This suggests a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where impact and collaboration are highly valued. The focus on "warfighters and intelligence professionals" underscores the critical nature of the work and the need for robust, reliable, and user-friendly solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior Product Designer / UX Engineer, with explicit responsibilities for design leadership, mentoring, and influencing strategic direction. It's a critical individual contributor role with leadership potential, bridging hands-on design execution with team guidance.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Design Manager, Director of Product, or an Engineering Lead. Direct interaction with Product Owners, Program Managers, and potentially senior client stakeholders (e.g., government officials) is expected.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer/UX Engineer has a direct and significant impact on the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of mission-critical applications. Their work directly influences the ability of end-users (operators, warfighters, intelligence professionals) to perform their duties efficiently and effectively, thereby contributing to mission success and organizational advantage.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design domains (e.g., C2 interfaces, AI-driven UX, data visualization) or advanced tool usage.

• Leadership Progression: Advance into a Lead Designer, Design Manager, or Director of Product role, managing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into Product Management, Program Management, or even specialized roles in UX Research or Design Operations.

• Industry Expertise: Develop deep domain knowledge within the defense and intelligence sectors, becoming a sought-after expert.

• AI & Emerging Tech: Become a leader in integrating AI and other emerging technologies into design processes and product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement, particularly for individuals looking to grow within the defense technology sector. The combination of technical design skills, leadership responsibilities, and exposure to critical missions provides a strong foundation for future growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with required presence at offices in Crystal City, Virginia, and Navy Yard, DC. This indicates a professional office setting designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Crystal City, Virginia, and Navy Yard, DC. These are strategically located areas within the Washington D.C. metropolitan region, known for their proximity to government agencies and defense contractors.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, huddle spaces, and open areas conducive to cross-functional teamwork and design reviews.

• Technology Access: Access to necessary design software (Figma, Sketch), hardware, and potentially specialized development or testing environments.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person collaboration with engineering, product management, and other design team members to foster idea exchange and problem-solving.

• Security-Conscious: Given the nature of the work and clearance requirements, the environment will adhere to strict security protocols.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with flexibility offered within the hybrid model. Project deadlines may necessitate occasional extended hours, but the core expectation is a balanced approach to work and personal life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and specific location requirements suggest a need for candidates who can commute to the DC metro area regularly for in-person collaboration, while also valuing the flexibility of remote work. The office environments are expected to be professional and equipped to support high-level design work for government clients.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and experience alignment.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, highlighting key projects and their design process. A design challenge or case study may be assigned to assess problem-solving skills, design thinking, and proficiency with tools like Figma.

• Technical/Team Interviews: Interviews with peers (other designers, engineers) to assess technical skills, collaboration style, and cultural fit. Questions will focus on design methodologies, system thinking, and experience with complex environments.

• Leadership/Stakeholder Interview: A final interview with senior leadership (e.g., Director level) to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, communication skills, and ability to present to and influence stakeholders. This may involve discussing past leadership experiences and handling of complex stakeholder situations.

• Background & Clearance Check: Verification of qualifications and initiation of the Secret clearance process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on your strongest 3-5 projects that best represent your end-to-end design capabilities, leadership experience, and relevant industry work.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, iteration), the solution, and the impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize instances where you led design efforts, mentored others, or influenced product strategy.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Dedicate a section or project to your experience with design systems and component libraries, explaining their architecture and impact.

• Demonstrate Technical Collaboration: Explain how you worked with engineers and product managers, and how you facilitated developer hand-off.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, trade-offs made, and how you handle feedback and conflict.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If a design challenge is provided, thoroughly analyze the problem statement and understand the target user and environment (likely defense/government).

• Time Management: Plan your approach to complete the challenge within the given timeframe, prioritizing key deliverables (e.g., user flows, wireframes, core UI elements).

• Articulate Your Process: Be prepared to explain your thought process, assumptions made, and any trade-offs considered.

• Focus on Impact: Frame your solution in terms of how it addresses the user's needs and contributes to the overall mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess a candidate's full range of skills, from hands-on design and technical proficiency to leadership and strategic communication. A strong, well-documented portfolio is critical, as is the ability to articulate one's process and impact, especially in the context of complex, mission-driven applications.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: The primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Sketch: A secondary design tool, likely for legacy projects or specific client needs. Familiarity is beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes within Figma or other dedicated tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD if applicable).

• Design System Tools: Experience with managing and contributing to design systems, likely integrated within Figma or using specialized platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design impacts user behavior metrics will be key. Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) or how to collaborate with teams who use them is beneficial.

• Experience with tools for usability testing and feedback collection. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how user data is managed in CRMs and how applications might integrate with broader enterprise systems is helpful context. Collaboration & Project Management:

• Jira/Confluence: Likely used for Agile project management, bug tracking, and documentation, requiring collaboration with engineering teams.

• Slack/Microsoft Teams: For day-to-day team communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. The role requires a deep understanding of design tools and the ability to leverage them for complex projects, including the creation and management of design systems. Collaboration tools are essential for cross-functional teamwork.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to understanding and supporting the mission objectives of clients, particularly in defense and government sectors.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing the needs and experience of end-users through rigorous research and empathetic design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where open communication, feedback, and shared problem-solving are encouraged across disciplines.

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies (like AI), rapid prototyping, and iterative development to deliver cutting-edge solutions quickly.

• Excellence & Accountability: Delivering high-quality work, taking ownership of design outcomes, and striving for continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with product managers to define requirements and engineers to ensure feasible and high-quality implementation.

• Open Feedback Loops: Regularly participating in design reviews and providing/receiving constructive criticism to refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the team's knowledge base, sharing best practices, and mentoring junior team members.

• Proactive Communication: Keeping stakeholders informed of progress, challenges, and design decisions in a clear and timely manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely to be professional, driven, and focused on delivering critical solutions. The emphasis on "mission readiness" and "decisive advantage" suggests a culture that values impact, precision, and a strong sense of purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex User Environments: Designing for users in high-stress, data-intensive operational scenarios (e.g., C2 centers) requires deep empathy and meticulous attention to detail.

• Stakeholder Management: Balancing the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, product owners, and senior government officials.

• Evolving Technology: Keeping pace with advancements in AI and other technologies and integrating them effectively into design workflows and product features.

• Security Clearance Requirements: Navigating the process of obtaining and maintaining a Secret clearance can be a significant undertaking.

• Legacy Systems Integration: Potentially working with or modernizing interfaces for existing, complex systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge UX methodologies, including AI-assisted design, advanced prototyping, and generative design.

• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge of defense, intelligence, and government sector operations, becoming an expert in designing for these specific user bases.

• Leadership Development: Formal and informal mentorship to develop skills in team management, strategic planning, and stakeholder influence.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to industry events, workshops, and certifications relevant to UX, product design, and defense technology.

• AI Integration Workshops: Training and hands-on experience with integrating AI/LLM tools into the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex design challenges, gaining specialized domain expertise, and leading design initiatives within a critical sector. The company's investment in innovation and its focus on emerging technologies like AI further enhance growth potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the end-to-end design process for a complex application. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, leadership, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach gathering requirements from stakeholders with potentially conflicting needs, especially in a government/DoD context?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and user advocacy.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing and maintaining a design system. What are the benefits and challenges?" (Focus on systemic thinking, collaboration, and scalability.)

• "How would you integrate AI tools into the design process for a C2 platform to improve user efficiency or insight generation?" (Focus on innovation, practical application of AI, and understanding of user needs.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with defense and intelligence clients, and how do you see your design skills contributing to their mission?" (Assess motivation and understanding of the sector.)

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your philosophy on team growth?" (Evaluate leadership and team development capabilities.)

• "How do you stay current with the latest design trends and technologies, particularly AI?" (Gauge proactivity and commitment to learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, present 2-3 core case studies in detail, focusing on the "problem, approach, solution, and impact" narrative.

• Highlight Leadership: Explicitly point out where you took initiative, led efforts, or mentored others within your case studies.

• Demonstrate Process: Use visuals (wireframes, flows, prototypes) to walk through your design process, explaining your decisions at each stage.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. If metrics aren't available, articulate the qualitative impact or expected benefits.

• Engage the Audience: Treat it as a conversation. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, trade-offs, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of user-centered design within complex, mission-critical environments. Highlighting experience with design systems, complex interfaces, and AI integration will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer / UX Engineer position:

• Submit Your Resume & Portfolio: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 8+ years of experience, design leadership, and relevant technical skills. Your portfolio should be easily accessible and showcase your best work, as outlined in the "Portfolio Essentials" section.

• Tailor Your Application: Clearly articulate your interest in supporting defense and intelligence missions and highlight any experience with government clients or complex operational environments.

• Prepare for Clearance: Be ready to undergo the process for obtaining a Secret security clearance.

• Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with 2 Twelve Solutions' mission, values, and the types of solutions they provide, particularly their work with Bcore Labs.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and be prepared to discuss your design process, leadership experience, and approach to challenges like AI integration.

⚠️ 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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