Senior User Experience (UX) Engineer, TS/SCI w/ Poly

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Experience (UX) Engineer, TS/SCI w/ Poly

Company: The MITRE Corporation

Location: McLean, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Engineering / Front-End Development

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Mission-Critical Development: Focus on designing and developing sophisticated front-end web applications for high-priority ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) initiatives, requiring an active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph clearance.

• User-Centered Design Expertise: Translate complex mission requirements and user insights into intuitive, effective, and visually engaging user interfaces that reduce cognitive burden for analysts.

• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Serve as a subject matter expert in UI/UX engineering, leading the development of enterprise-grade applications and mentoring junior team members.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with human factors engineers, UX designers, researchers, project leaders, and ODNI sponsors to ensure alignment between technical solutions and mission objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply embedded within the Intelligence Community, demanding a high level of security clearance and a focus on critical national security initiatives. The emphasis on "enterprise-grade" applications suggests a need for scalable, maintainable, and robust solutions, likely involving complex data integration and visualization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Interface Design & Development: Design, document, develop, and refine interactive, visually engaging, and responsive front-end web applications and interaction designs for sensitive Intelligence Community environments.

• Mission Workflow Translation: Collaborate directly with ODNI sponsors and MITRE technical teams to translate complex mission workflows into clear, accessible, and mission-effective user interfaces that support analyst decision-making.

• Software Prototyping: Work closely with human factors engineers, UX designers, researchers, project leaders, and sponsors to create software prototypes using current front-end technologies and best practices.

• Application Front-End Leadership: Lead or support the development of enterprise-grade application front ends for diverse mission needs, including data visualization, workflow automation, analytics, and geospatial displays.

• Design System & Documentation: Produce and maintain design-system components, interaction specifications, accessibility annotations, and developer-ready handoff documentation to facilitate sponsor engagement and developer understanding.

• Performance & Usability Assurance: Ensure the performance, usability, and accessibility of all application designs, adhering to established standards and best practices.

• Stakeholder Communication: Present designs and technical solutions clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, articulating design choices and their impact on mission objectives.

• Team Mentorship: Mentor junior developers and designers, contributing to the department's overall technical standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on development, strategic design thinking, and direct client interaction within a highly secure operational context. The emphasis on "enterprise-grade" and "mission-effective" implies a need for solutions that are not only functional but also scalable, secure, and impactful for critical national security missions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, or a closely related technical field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of related professional experience with a Bachelor's degree.

• Minimum of 3 years of related professional experience with a Master's degree.

• Demonstrated experience as a Front-end web application developer with strong expertise in UI/UX, interaction design, visual design, and usability principles.

Required Skills:

• Security Clearance: Active TS//SCI clearance with a Full Scope Polygraph (required at time of hire).

• Front-End Technologies: Proficiency in core web technologies including JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

• JavaScript Frameworks: Demonstrated experience with modern JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, Vue, or React.

• Data Visualization: Experience with libraries like D3.js for creating impactful data visualizations.

• Interaction & Visual Design: Deep understanding of usability, accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), visual hierarchy, and user-centered design principles.

• Prototyping: Experience with UI-first rapid prototyping and development methodologies.

• CSS Frameworks: Familiarity with CSS frameworks such as Tailwind or Material Design-based libraries.

• Version Control: Proficiency with version control systems, particularly Git, including managing code reviews and releases.

Preferred Skills:

• Geospatial Applications: Experience with geospatial application design, utilizing tools like ESRI or open-source geospatial libraries.

• Modern Frameworks: Advanced experience with modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Vue, Angular, and HTMx.

• Architectural Patterns: Experience developing web applications with diverse architectures including Server-Side Rendering (SSR), Single Page Applications (SPAs), and hybrid application patterns (e.g., interactive islands).

• Linux Environment: Experience working within Linux-based environments, including command line usage and shell scripting.

• Cloud Experience: Familiarity with AWS-managed services and cloud-native architectures.

• Alternative Runtimes: Familiarity with alternative JavaScript runtimes such as Bun or Deno.

• Documentation: Experience producing high-quality software documentation and design artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph is a non-negotiable primary requirement. The preferred skills indicate a forward-looking approach to front-end development, embracing modern architectures, cloud integration, and specialized domains like geospatial data. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate practical application of these skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX/UI engineering process from problem definition to final implementation. Focus on complex projects with significant user interaction challenges.

• Interactive Prototypes: Include links to or descriptions of interactive prototypes you have developed, highlighting the technologies used and the user experience goals achieved.

• Design System Contributions: If applicable, provide examples of design system components, style guides, or UI pattern libraries you have created or contributed to.

• Code Samples: For front-end development aspects, provide links to public repositories (e.g., GitHub) or well-documented code snippets that demonstrate your proficiency in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and chosen frameworks.

• Problem-Solving Examples: Demonstrate how you translated complex user needs or mission requirements into effective design solutions, with clear explanations of your rationale.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Document your approach to understanding user workflows, identifying pain points, and designing intuitive interfaces that streamline operations and reduce cognitive load.

• User-Centered Design Methodology: Clearly articulate your process for user research, persona development, user testing, and iterative design refinement.

• Technical Handoff: Illustrate your methods for preparing design specifications, interaction details, and accessibility annotations for developer handoff, ensuring a smooth implementation process.

• Performance & Accessibility Standards: Detail how you ensure and document the performance optimization and accessibility compliance of your designs and developed components.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Engineer role, especially within a government-contracting environment like MITRE supporting ODNI, a robust portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase technical skills but also the ability to apply user-centered design principles to solve complex problems within secure, mission-oriented contexts. Demonstrating experience with design systems and clear developer handoff processes is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Annual Salary: $122,400 - $183,600

• Midpoint: $153,000

• Explanation: This range is provided by the employer and reflects the seniority of the role, the specialized skills required (including the high-level security clearance), and the cost of living in the National Capital Region. The midpoint indicates the target compensation for a fully qualified candidate.

Benefits:

• Competitive Benefits Package: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Professional Development: Exceptional opportunities for career growth, including training, certifications, and advanced degree support.

• Retirement Savings: Robust 401(k) plan with employer match.

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

• Life & Disability Insurance: Employer-provided life and long-term disability insurance.

• Wellness Programs: Access to wellness initiatives and resources.

Working Hours:

• Standard Work Week: Typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility: While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and mission needs. Core hours will likely be established to ensure collaboration and availability for ODNI sponsors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior-level role requiring a TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph in the high-demand National Capital Region tech market. The mention of "exceptional professional development opportunities" is significant for a role at a non-profit R&D organization like MITRE, suggesting investment in employee growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense & National Security Technology R&D, Government Contracting. MITRE operates as a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work in the public interest, developing solutions for government sponsors without commercial conflicts of interest.

Company Size: Large enterprise (MITRE operates multiple R&D centers and employs thousands). This scale provides access to diverse projects and resources.

Founded: 1958. With a long history, MITRE has established itself as a trusted partner for government agencies, particularly in complex, mission-critical domains.

Team Structure:

• Project-Based Teams: Roles are typically embedded within specific project teams focused on delivering solutions for particular government sponsors (e.g., ODNI).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect to work alongside a diverse group of experts including systems engineers, cybersecurity specialists, data scientists, human factors engineers, and other UX/UI professionals.

• Reporting: Likely reports to a technical lead or program manager within a specific MITRE division or program, with close collaboration with ODNI sponsors.

Methodology:

• Mission-Driven Approach: All work is centered around addressing specific national security challenges and sponsor requirements.

• Technical Excellence: Emphasis on rigorous research, robust engineering practices, and innovative problem-solving.

• Collaborative Development: Fosters an environment where ideas are shared, challenged, and refined through teamwork.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizes data analysis and user feedback to guide design and development processes.

Company Website: https://www.mitre.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: MITRE's unique position as a not-for-profit R&D organization means the focus is on impact and public good rather than commercial profit. This often translates to a culture of deep technical expertise, long-term problem-solving, and strong ethical considerations, particularly relevant given the sensitive nature of the work with ODNI.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a need for significant independent contribution, technical leadership, and the ability to guide less experienced team members. The role requires deep expertise in UX/UI engineering and front-end development within a specialized, high-security domain.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Engineer will likely report to a Technical Director, Program Manager, or Lead Engineer within MITRE's relevant division. Close collaboration and direct interaction with ODNI sponsors will be a key aspect of the role, influencing project direction and priorities.

Operations Impact: The UX Engineer's work will directly impact the effectiveness of intelligence analysis, decision-making, and operational security for national intelligence agencies. By creating intuitive and efficient interfaces, they will help reduce analyst cognitive load, improve data comprehension, and enhance overall mission success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced front-end technologies, specific domains (e.g., geospatial, cybersecurity analytics), or emerging UX methodologies.

• Leadership Development: Transition into roles such as Technical Lead, Project Manager, or Principal Engineer, guiding larger teams and more complex projects.

• Cross-Domain Exposure: Opportunities to work on projects across different government agencies and mission areas within MITRE.

• Mentorship & Training: Formal and informal opportunities to mentor junior staff and engage in continuous learning through MITRE's extensive professional development programs.

• Strategic Contribution: Influence the direction of UX/UI strategy and best practices within MITRE and for government sponsors.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role at MITRE, growth is typically defined by increased technical depth, broader project scope, and leadership responsibilities. The TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph is a significant asset that opens doors to highly sensitive and impactful projects, offering unique career progression pathways within the national security sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily on-site within government facilities (McLean, VA or Bethesda, MD) or MITRE offices, requiring a secure physical presence.

Office Location(s): McLean, Virginia; Bethesda, Maryland. Travel within the National Capital Region (NCR) may be required.

Workspace Context:

• Secure Environment: The work environment will be highly secure, adhering to strict protocols for handling classified information and systems.

• Collaborative Spaces: MITRE likely provides modern collaborative workspaces designed to facilitate teamwork, brainstorming, and technical discussions.

• Technology Access: Access to specialized development tools, high-performance computing resources, and secure network infrastructure will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Expect a high degree of interaction with a dedicated project team and regular engagement with ODNI stakeholders.

Work Schedule:

• On-site Requirement: The role is designated as "On-site," necessitating a consistent physical presence at the designated work location.

• Standard Business Hours: Typically aligns with standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM ET), with potential for some flexibility. However, mission critical tasks may require adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is absolute due to the nature of the work and the security clearance. Candidates must be comfortable working within a controlled, secure environment and be prepared for potential travel within the NCR to meet with sponsors.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR and/or recruiter screen to confirm basic qualifications, clearance status, and interest.

• Technical Interview(s): Multiple rounds focusing on UX/UI design principles, front-end development skills (JavaScript, frameworks, HTML/CSS), problem-solving abilities, and experience with relevant tools. Expect coding exercises or live coding challenges.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, walking through case studies, design choices, and technical implementations. Be prepared to discuss your process, rationale, and impact.

• Behavioral / Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of collaboration style, communication skills, ability to work in a team, and alignment with MITRE's mission and values. Questions may probe how you handle challenges, receive feedback, and mentor others.

• Security & Sponsor Interviews: Potentially includes interviews with security personnel and/or ODNI representatives to assess suitability for working on classified projects.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as narratives – problem, your approach, solution, and measurable impact.

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your UX/UI design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.

• Showcase Technical Depth: For front-end aspects, be ready to discuss the technical challenges you overcame and the specific code or architectural decisions you made.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "improved user satisfaction scores by Y%").

• Tailor to ODNI: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with complex data, analytics, or mission-critical workflows relevant to intelligence operations.

• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your code, framework choices, and design patterns.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenges: Practice common front-end challenges involving JavaScript algorithms, DOM manipulation, and framework-specific tasks (e.g., React component composition).

• Design Problems: Be ready to tackle a hypothetical UX design problem, outlining your approach to user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.

• System Design: For senior roles, you might be asked to discuss architectural considerations for scalable front-end applications.

• Security Considerations: Understand basic security principles relevant to web applications, especially within a classified environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is rigorous and multi-faceted, reflecting the importance of the role and the security requirements. A strong portfolio is non-negotiable and should be meticulously prepared, demonstrating both design thinking and robust development capabilities. Be ready to articulate your process and impact clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Front-End Frameworks: React, Vue, Angular (demonstrated proficiency in at least one is essential; experience with HTMx is a plus).

• Core Web Technologies: JavaScript (ES6+), HTML5, CSS3.

• Styling & UI Frameworks: Tailwind CSS, Material Design libraries, or similar.

• Data Visualization: D3.js is a primary requirement; experience with other charting libraries is beneficial.

• Version Control: Git (essential for collaboration and code management).

• Development Environments: Familiarity with Linux command line and shell scripting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Performance Monitoring: Tools to monitor front-end performance, load times, and user interaction metrics.

• User Analytics: Potentially integrating with analytics platforms to track user behavior within applications.

• Dashboarding: Experience creating or interpreting dashboards for visualizing application usage and performance data.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: While not a traditional CRM/automation role, understanding how front-end applications integrate with back-end systems and data sources is crucial.

• Integration Tools: Familiarity with concepts of API integration and data flow between front-end and back-end services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and focused on robust front-end development. Candidates should highlight their experience with specific frameworks and libraries mentioned, as well as their ability to work within secure, potentially Linux-based environments. Experience with AWS could be beneficial for understanding cloud-native architectures.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A deep commitment to serving the public interest and contributing to national security objectives.

• Technical Excellence: Striving for the highest standards in research, development, and problem-solving.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and strong relationships with sponsors and colleagues.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of work, especially concerning sensitive national security data.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and approaches to solve complex challenges effectively.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with diverse teams of engineers, researchers, and analysts, requiring strong communication and empathy.

• Sponsor Engagement: Proactive and transparent communication with ODNI sponsors is key, involving regular updates, feedback sessions, and collaborative design reviews.

• Knowledge Sharing: MITRE likely encourages a culture of sharing expertise, best practices, and lessons learned across teams and projects.

• Iterative Development: Embraces agile principles and iterative feedback loops to refine solutions continuously.

📝 Enhancement Note: MITRE's culture emphasizes a strong sense of purpose, technical rigor, and collaborative problem-solving, all within the framework of serving national security interests. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values and possess strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration, especially with government sponsors.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High-Security Environment: Adapting to and operating within strict security protocols and classified information handling procedures.

• Complex Mission Requirements: Translating intricate and often ambiguous national security mission needs into functional and intuitive user interfaces.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying current with the fast-paced changes in front-end technologies and UX best practices while working on long-term projects.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Balancing the diverse needs and expectations of multiple stakeholders, including technical teams and high-level sponsors.

• Legacy System Integration: Potentially integrating new interfaces with existing legacy systems within the Intelligence Community.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Security Training: Opportunities to enhance understanding of cybersecurity principles and secure development practices.

• Specialized Technical Training: Access to training in cutting-edge front-end frameworks, UX research methodologies, and data visualization techniques.

• Domain Expertise: Developing deep knowledge of intelligence community operations, data types, and analytical workflows.

• Leadership & Mentorship Programs: Pathways to develop leadership skills and mentor junior engineers.

• Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant industry conferences and obtaining professional certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the high-stakes nature of the work and the specific environment. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering deep technical specialization and leadership development within a unique and impactful sector of the technology industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Problem Solving: "Describe a complex UX challenge you faced on a previous project and how you approached solving it. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, rationale, and measurable results).

• Technical Approach: "How would you design a responsive dashboard for real-time threat intelligence analysis, considering data visualization and user interaction for analysts?" (Be prepared to discuss technologies, architecture, and UX principles).

• Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with back-end developers and data scientists to ensure seamless integration of front-end components?" (Highlight communication strategies and understanding of different roles).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Motivation: "Why are you interested in working for MITRE and specifically on ODNI initiatives?" (Connect your skills and career goals to MITRE's mission and the role's impact).

• Teamwork: "Describe a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder or team member. How did you manage the situation?" (Demonstrate conflict resolution and collaboration skills).

• Adaptability: "How do you stay updated with the latest front-end technologies and UX trends?" (Showcase your commitment to continuous learning).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or complexity. For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process (research, design, development), the solution, and the impact.

• Technical Detail: Be ready to explain technical decisions, code snippets, framework choices, and how you ensured performance and accessibility.

• Visuals: Use clear mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and live demos where possible to illustrate your work.

• Audience Awareness: Tailor your presentation to the interviewer's background (e.g., more technical depth for engineers, more UX focus for designers).

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present the most impactful aspects of your work efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical proficiency but also a strategic understanding of UX principles, a collaborative mindset, and a deep appreciation for the mission-critical nature of the work. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase your end-to-end capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Experience (UX) Engineer position:

• Submit Your Application: Proceed through the official application portal on the MITRE careers website using the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your experience with front-end development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, specific frameworks like React/Vue/Angular), UX/UI design principles, interaction design, and any relevant project experience, especially within secure or government environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a strong portfolio showcasing 2-3 detailed case studies of complex UX/UI engineering projects. Include interactive prototypes, design artifacts, and code samples where appropriate. Be ready to present this confidently.

• Research MITRE & ODNI: Familiarize yourself with MITRE's mission, values, and its role in supporting national security. Understand the general functions of the ODNI to better contextualize the role's impact.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for technical questions related to front-end development and UX/UI design, as well as behavioral questions. Practice articulating your portfolio projects and problem-solving approaches.

⚠️ 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.