Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Babel Street

Location: Reston, VA OR Somerville, MA

Job Type: Full Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: August 24, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (8+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for complex product experiences, from initial discovery and concept development through to delivery and ongoing optimization.

• Drive UX strategy and significantly influence product roadmap decisions by leveraging customer insights, user research, and data analytics to enhance product adoption, usability, and overall effectiveness.

• Translate ambiguous user needs, complex business objectives, and technical constraints into intuitive, elegant, and scalable design solutions for disruptive Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) products.

• Champion design excellence, accessibility, and inclusive design principles throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring high-quality user experiences that meet rigorous standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Designer within a company specializing in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and identity intelligence solutions. The emphasis on "influential individual contributor," "shaping the vision, strategy, and execution," and "elevating design maturity" indicates a high level of autonomy and strategic impact expected from the candidate. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a need for strong collaboration and communication skills, balancing remote work with in-office presence for team synergy. The target industry (Government and Commercial customers, OSINT) implies a need for designing for complex, mission-critical applications with potentially sophisticated user personas.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the entire UX design lifecycle for complex product initiatives, encompassing user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and usability testing.

• Translate intricate user needs, business goals, and technical requirements into innovative, intuitive, and scalable user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designs.

• Drive UX strategy by synthesizing user research, analytics, customer feedback, and market trends to inform product roadmap decisions and enhance customer outcomes.

• Develop comprehensive design artifacts, including user flows, information architecture, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished visual designs, establishing design best practices.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering teams to clarify requirements, identify workflow gaps, define actionable design tasks, and ensure technically feasible delivery of design solutions.

• Facilitate workshops, user journey mapping sessions, design critiques, and stakeholder alignment meetings, utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to validate design decisions.

• Ensure adherence to accessibility standards (ADA/WCAG) and conduct design and accessibility QA with engineering to meet approved UX standards.

• Support the evolution and governance of reusable design system components, patterns, and documentation to ensure consistency and efficiency across the product portfolio.

• Provide constructive design critique and feedback to internal and external design partners to uphold high-quality design execution.

• Clearly communicate complex design concepts, rationale, and recommendations to diverse audiences, including technical, business, and executive stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "translating ambiguous user needs," "driving UX strategy," and "influencing product roadmap decisions" signifies a senior-level expectation for proactive contribution beyond typical design tasks. The mention of "design-system components, patterns, standards, documentation, UX governance, and scalable design processes" points to a need for candidates who can contribute to the operationalization and maturity of the design function itself.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level design roles.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in digital product and experience design, with a strong focus on enterprise, B2B SaaS, government, or similarly complex environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of leading the design of complex software products from concept through launch and iterative improvement.

• Expertise in user-centered design (UCD) methodologies, interaction design, visual design principles, information architecture (IA), and usability testing.

• Advanced proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, and experience with design systems.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and measurable impact on business and user outcomes.

• Deep understanding of accessibility standards (e.g., ADA, WCAG) and practical experience integrating them into product design.

• Ability to synthesize research findings, analytics data, customer feedback, and business objectives into actionable design insights.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to influence decisions across all organizational levels.

• Experience working within Agile product development methodologies, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and iterative delivery using tools like Jira and Confluence.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced, iterative environments, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for intelligence, analytics, data visualization, cybersecurity, defense, or mission-critical software applications.

• Familiarity with Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) workflows and understanding of investigative user personas.

• Experience conducting and leading user research initiatives and translating findings into product strategy.

• Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority and drive alignment across multiple groups.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted design workflows, Model Context Protocol (MCP), or modern component frameworks such as shadcn/ui.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section heavily emphasizes practical experience and a demonstrable portfolio, reflecting the senior nature of the role. The "Preferred Qualifications" indicate a strong preference for candidates with domain expertise in intelligence, defense, or cybersecurity, suggesting the complexity and specific user needs within Babel Street's product offerings. The mention of "AI-assisted design" and specific technical frameworks like "shadcn/ui" points to a forward-thinking design team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects, highlighting strategic thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and quantifiable impact on user experience and business metrics.

• Specific case studies demonstrating leadership in designing complex enterprise or B2B SaaS products, detailing the design process from initial problem definition to final implementation.

• Examples of how user research, data analysis, and user-centered design principles were applied to inform design decisions and achieve desired outcomes.

• Demonstrations of expertise in creating and utilizing design systems, including component libraries, documentation, and collaboration with engineering for implementation alignment.

• Evidence of contributions to improving design processes, workflows, or governance within a team or organization. Process Documentation:

• Examples of user journey maps, information architecture diagrams, and detailed user flows that illustrate complex system interactions.

• Prototypes and wireframes that effectively communicate interaction design and user interface concepts, showcasing proficiency with tools like Figma.

• Documentation of accessibility considerations and how they were integrated into the design process and final product.

• Case studies detailing collaboration with Product Management and Engineering in Agile environments, including contributions to sprint planning and backlog refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, a portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing visuals; it must articulate strategic thinking, problem-solving processes, and measurable impact. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio, explaining their role, the challenges, the design decisions, and the outcomes, emphasizing their influence and leadership.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with potential company match.

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

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Potential for stock options or equity, depending on company policy and role level.

• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility and work-life balance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time role, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available given the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $140,000 - $170,000 per year is competitive for a Senior UX Designer in the Reston, VA or Somerville, MA areas, considering the experience level and the specialized nature of the company's products. Benefits are standard for a full-time position in the tech industry, with specific details to be confirmed during the hiring process. The hybrid nature implies a need for self-management and effective communication to maintain productivity and collaboration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically focused on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Identity Intelligence, and Data Analytics. This is a niche but critical sector serving government and commercial clients.

Company Size: Babel Street has a global presence with regional offices, suggesting a mid-to-large size organization with established processes but still retaining agility. This size implies opportunities for impact and potential for career growth without being lost in a massive corporate structure.

Founded: Founded in 2009, Babel Street has over a decade of experience, indicating stability and a proven track record in a competitive market.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Designer will be part of the Design Operations team, indicating a structured approach to design management and execution.

• This role requires close partnership with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and direct customers, highlighting a highly collaborative and cross-functional environment.

• The design team likely comprises other designers, researchers, and potentially design operations specialists, with reporting lines that will be clarified during the interview process. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core tenet, utilizing customer insights, user research, and analytics to guide product strategy and design.

• Agile product development is a standard practice, requiring close collaboration with engineering teams in iterative cycles.

• A focus on developing and leveraging design systems suggests a commitment to scalability, consistency, and efficiency in design and development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Babel Street operates in a high-stakes, intelligence-driven sector. The culture likely values precision, security, and innovation. The emphasis on "disruptive OSINT solutions" and "mission-critical problems" suggests a team that is both technically adept and mission-focused. The hybrid model indicates a balance between fostering in-person collaboration and providing employee flexibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is explicitly Senior, indicating a level of expertise, autonomy, and responsibility beyond mid-level designers. It involves leading design efforts, influencing strategy, and mentoring others.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, UX Manager, or Head of Design within the Design Operations team. Collaboration will be extensive with Product Management and Engineering leadership.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly shaping the usability and effectiveness of tools used for critical intelligence and risk operations by government and commercial clients. Successful UX design can lead to improved decision-making, increased efficiency for users, and a stronger competitive advantage for Babel Street's products.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or Principal Designer roles, taking on more strategic oversight and team management responsibilities.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like data visualization, intelligence analysis UX, or design systems governance.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to collaborate closely with product strategy, research, or even contribute to product management discussions.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the design team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and responsibilities suggest a clear path for career progression. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their long-term career aspirations and how this role aligns with their growth trajectory, particularly in complex B2B/enterprise software environments. The company's focus on OSINT and intelligence suggests opportunities to become a subject matter expert in a highly specialized field.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-office collaboration at either the Reston, VA or Somerville, MA locations. This suggests a modern approach to work, balancing flexibility with the benefits of in-person interaction.

Office Location(s): Reston, Virginia and Somerville, Massachusetts. Candidates will likely need to be within commuting distance of one of these locations for hybrid requirements.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is expected to be collaborative, with regular interaction with Product Managers, Engineers, and other designers.

• Access to modern design tools and technologies, including Figma, design systems, and potentially prototyping software, is standard.

• The culture likely encourages open communication, design critiques, and knowledge sharing to foster innovation and continuous improvement.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with potential for some flexibility due to the hybrid arrangement. The nature of mission-critical software may occasionally require focused effort during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role requires candidates to be comfortable with both independent remote work and structured in-office collaboration. Understanding the specific hybrid expectations (e.g., number of days in office, team coordination) will be crucial during the interview process. The locations in Reston and Somerville place the role in strong tech hubs with access to talent and resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, likely followed by a brief introductory call to assess basic qualifications and fit.

2. Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A significant portion of the interview process will involve presenting your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing your role, the problem, your process, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes. This will be followed by technical questions related to UX principles, design methodologies, and tool proficiency.

3. Cross-functional Interviews: You will likely meet with Product Managers and Engineering leads to assess your collaboration style, ability to translate requirements, and understanding of technical constraints.

4. Design Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior design leadership to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with the company's design vision and culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations around the problem, your process, the solution, and the impact. Clearly articulate the business goals and user needs that drove your design decisions.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, final designs) effectively, but focus on explaining the why behind your choices.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, increased user satisfaction).

• Highlight Leadership: For senior roles, emphasize instances where you led initiatives, influenced strategy, mentored others, or improved processes.

• Tailor to Babel Street: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to highlight experience relevant to OSINT, complex data visualization, or enterprise software.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential design exercises or case studies that assess your problem-solving skills, ability to work with ambiguity, and design thinking process.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Prepare to discuss how you handle feedback, navigate challenging stakeholder conversations, and contribute to design system development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical for this role. Candidates should select projects that best demonstrate their ability to handle complex problems, drive strategy, and deliver impactful solutions in enterprise or B2B SaaS environments. Preparing to discuss specific experiences with design systems, accessibility, and cross-functional collaboration will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required advanced proficiency. This will be the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and collaboration.

• Design Systems: Experience building, scaling, and governing design systems is a key requirement. This implies familiarity with component libraries, documentation standards, and potentially working with coded implementations.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency beyond Figma's capabilities may be beneficial for complex interactions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and gathering feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with understanding product analytics to inform design decisions (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude).

CRM & Automation:

• Jira & Confluence: Required for working within Agile development environments, managing tasks, and documenting processes.

• Collaboration Tools: General familiarity with collaborative platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) for team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and experience with design systems are non-negotiable for this role. The mention of "AI-assisted design" and "shadcn/ui" suggests an openness to modern tools and workflows. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they leverage these tools to drive efficiency and quality in their design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user, ensuring their needs are met by the product.

• Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are informed by research, analytics, and evidence, rather than solely intuition.

• Collaboration & Communication: Openness to feedback, active participation in critiques, and effective communication across teams.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: A drive to tackle complex challenges with creative and effective solutions.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to producing high-quality, polished, and accessible user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Working seamlessly with Product Management and Engineering to ensure designs are aligned with business goals and technically feasible.

• Design Critique Culture: Regularly participating in and providing constructive feedback during design reviews to elevate the quality of work.

• Process Improvement: Actively contributing to the refinement of design processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance team effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company operates in a sensitive sector (intelligence), so a culture that values precision, rigor, and ethical considerations is likely. The emphasis on collaboration and design systems suggests a mature design organization that values consistency and shared ownership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Complexity: Translating intricate OSINT workflows, data analysis, and intelligence gathering into intuitive user experiences.

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing the expectations and requirements of diverse stakeholders, including government clients, commercial users, Product Management, and Engineering.

• Driving Design Maturity: Continuing to elevate the design function within the organization, championing user-centered practices and influencing product strategy.

• Staying Ahead of Technology: Keeping pace with advancements in AI, data visualization, and OSINT technologies to inform design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of the OSINT and identity intelligence domain, becoming a subject matter expert in a specialized field.

• Strategic Influence: Developing skills in product strategy, roadmap influence, and cross-functional leadership.

• Advanced Design Techniques: Exploring AI-assisted design, complex data visualization, and advanced prototyping.

• Design System Leadership: Contributing to the growth and governance of a mature design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers unique challenges and growth opportunities due to the specialized nature of Babel Street's products. Candidates who are excited by complex problem-solving and the opportunity to make a significant impact in a critical domain will find this role rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design of a complex enterprise or B2B SaaS product from concept to launch. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and impact.)

• "How do you balance user needs, business objectives, and technical constraints when designing a new feature or product?" (Highlight your ability to synthesize information and make trade-offs.)

• "Discuss your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to building, scaling, or governing them? What are the benefits and challenges?" (Demonstrate your understanding of design consistency and efficiency.)

• "How do you approach user research and translate findings into actionable design insights, especially in a domain like OSINT?" (Show your user-centric approach and ability to apply research.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders without direct authority. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare for questions on stakeholder management and influence.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Babel Street and our mission in OSINT and identity intelligence?" (Research the company, its products, and its impact.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to the company's overall success and product vision?" (Connect your skills to the company's goals.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment with Product Management and Engineering teams." (Align with their Agile and cross-functional approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 impactful projects: Choose projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Prioritize complexity and measurable results.

• Structure your narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the user needs, business goals, your design process, key decisions, challenges, and the final outcome/impact.

• Be ready for deep dives: Expect questions about your specific contributions, design rationale, trade-offs, and how you handled feedback or changes.

• Showcase your process artifacts: Have examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, research summaries, and design system components ready to share.

• Quantify results: If possible, present metrics or testimonials that demonstrate the success of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of complex design challenges. Candidates must be able to articulate their process and the rationale behind their decisions, especially concerning the unique demands of OSINT and intelligence products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the provided application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects that demonstrate your experience with complex enterprise/B2B SaaS products, strategic design thinking, and measurable impact. Tailor your case studies to highlight relevant skills like data visualization, complex workflows, or working with technical data.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your 8+ years of experience, proficiency in Figma, experience with design systems, and any relevant domain knowledge (intelligence, cybersecurity). Use keywords from the job description, such as "user-centered design," "product strategy," "information architecture," and "Agile."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on articulating your design process, rationale, and outcomes. Prepare to discuss how you handle ambiguity, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to design system development.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Babel Street, its mission, its products (especially OSINT solutions), and its target markets. Understand their value proposition and how your UX expertise can contribute to their success.

⚠️ 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.