Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: Leidos

Location: 8015 The Pentagon, Arlington, VA, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of user experience (UX) solutions, including wireframes, prototypes, and user interface (UI) designs for enterprise-level data and analytics products.

• Apply human-centered design principles and user research methodologies to enhance product usability, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction for critical Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UI engineers, software developers, product managers, and government partners, within Agile and DevSecOps frameworks to ensure seamless integration of UX designs.

• Drive continuous improvement of user interfaces and workflows by analyzing user behavior, conducting usability testing, and identifying key areas for enhancement in complex, mission-critical systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a high-visibility enterprise data and analytics program for the Department of War, emphasizing the critical nature of user experience design in enabling informed decision-making through trusted data and emerging AI technologies. The focus on national security outcomes and complex stakeholder environments suggests a need for robust UX strategy and execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop comprehensive user experience solutions, including detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished user interface mockups for enterprise data and analytics platforms.

• Champion and apply human-centered design principles throughout the product lifecycle to significantly improve usability, accessibility (e.g., Section 508 compliance), and overall user satisfaction.

• Conduct thorough user research, including interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiries, and perform rigorous usability testing to gather actionable insights that directly inform design decisions and product strategy.

• Develop detailed user personas, comprehensive journey maps, and clear interaction models to effectively communicate user needs and guide product design and development efforts.

• Partner effectively with UI engineers, software developers, product owners, and other industry teammates to translate UX designs into scalable, production-ready solutions.

• Actively support the integration of UX design activities and artifacts into Agile and DevSecOps development processes, ensuring iterative feedback loops and efficient delivery.

• Evaluate existing system interfaces comprehensively, identifying usability bottlenecks, accessibility gaps, and opportunities for significant improvement to enhance user workflows.

• Support the development, maintenance, and adoption of robust design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure consistency and quality across all product interfaces.

• Guarantee strict compliance with all relevant accessibility requirements, particularly Section 508, ensuring products are usable by the widest possible audience.

• Analyze user behavior data, feedback trends, and system performance metrics to drive data-informed iteration and continuous improvement of the user experience.

• Assist in the development of comprehensive training materials and clear user documentation to facilitate product adoption and user proficiency.

• Participate actively in SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) ceremonies, including Program Increment (PI) Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, contributing UX expertise to team planning and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking and tactical execution within a government contracting environment. The emphasis on Agile/DevSecOps and SAFe ceremonies indicates a need for a UX designer who can adapt to dynamic development cycles and contribute effectively to cross-functional team planning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Design, or a closely related discipline, with 8-12 years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of dedicated experience in UX design, human-factors engineering, or a directly related field, demonstrating a strong track record of successful project delivery.

• Proven experience designing and delivering user experiences for complex enterprise applications, platforms, or large-scale systems, preferably within government or highly regulated industries.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar platforms.

• Strong understanding and practical application of core interaction design principles, usability heuristics, and information architecture best practices.

• Proven experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional technical teams, including UI engineers, software developers, product managers, and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience with Section 508 accessibility standards and ensuring compliance in design deliverables.

• Solid understanding of Agile methodologies and practical experience working within Agile development teams, contributing UX insights to sprints and iterations.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate design rationale and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with SCI eligibility.

• Experience specifically supporting UX design for data platforms, advanced analytics tools, or AI/ML systems, demonstrating an understanding of complex data visualization and interaction patterns.

• Experience working within secure government environments, including multi-enclave or classified settings.

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies such as React, Angular, or Vue.js, enabling better collaboration with development teams.

• Experience contributing to the development and maintenance of comprehensive design systems and UX standards.

• Experience working within SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) environments, understanding its principles and application in large-scale programs.

• A strong portfolio demonstrating a range of UX design work across complex systems, showcasing problem-solving skills and impactful design solutions.

• Knowledge of FINOPS principles and experience conducting cost/benefit analyses for service investments, particularly related to technology platforms.

• Experience in designing and maintaining knowledge management systems to improve information accessibility and usability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level (8-12 years) and the specific mention of "enterprise applications or platforms" suggest this role requires a seasoned UX professional capable of tackling complex system design challenges. The preferred qualifications, especially those related to data platforms, AI/ML, and secure environments, indicate a strong preference for candidates with experience relevant to the program's mission.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive UX design projects, ideally including at least one project involving enterprise-level applications, data visualization, or complex systems.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, user needs, your role and responsibilities within each project, and the design process followed.

• Demonstrate the application of human-centered design principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing throughout the project lifecycle.

• Present tangible outcomes and the impact of your design solutions, quantifying improvements in usability, efficiency, or user satisfaction where possible (e.g., through metrics, A/B test results, or qualitative feedback).

Process Documentation:

• Provide clear documentation of your design process, including how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Illustrate how you integrate UX design into Agile and DevSecOps development workflows, including examples of collaboration with development teams and participation in ceremonies.

• Demonstrate experience in developing and maintaining design systems, style guides, or UX standards, showcasing consistency and scalability in your design approach.

• Explain your methods for ensuring accessibility compliance (e.g., Section 508) and how you incorporate these requirements into the design and development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "enterprise applications or platforms" and "complex systems" in the requirements suggests that a portfolio should highlight projects with significant scale and complexity. The mention of "data platforms, analytics tools, or AI/ML systems" in preferred qualifications further indicates that projects showcasing experience in these areas will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $107,900 - $195,050 USD per year

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness Programs: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, often including wellness initiatives and resources.

• Income Protection: Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage to safeguard employees and their families.

• Paid Leave: Generous paid time off (PTO) policies, including vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays, to support work-life balance.

• Retirement: A robust retirement savings plan, likely a 401(k) with a company match, to support long-term financial security.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically around 40 hours per week.

• Given the on-site nature and the critical mission, a degree of flexibility may be expected, but core business hours will likely apply for team collaboration and SAFe ceremonies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided pay range is specific to the role and location, reflecting a competitive compensation package for a Senior UX Designer in the Arlington, VA area with the required clearance and experience. The listed benefits are standard for a large organization like Leidos and are typical for roles requiring a high level of security clearance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Information Technology / Defense Technology. Leidos operates at the intersection of technology, defense, and intelligence, providing advanced solutions to government agencies.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (typically 35,000+ employees globally). This scale implies structured processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for internal mobility.

Founded: 1969. With a long history, Leidos has a well-established presence and deep expertise in its core markets.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team (Program Specific): This role is part of a dedicated enterprise data and analytics program team supporting the Department of War. The team likely comprises a mix of government personnel and Leidos/industry partners.

• Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a UX Lead, Program Manager, or a Director within the Digital Modernization sector, with close collaboration with government stakeholders and product owners.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect extensive collaboration with UI engineers, software developers, data scientists, business analysts, system engineers, and product managers, all working within a SAFe framework.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The program is fundamentally about data and analytics; therefore, a strong emphasis will be placed on leveraging data to inform decisions, measure impact, and drive product improvements.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Designing efficient and effective workflows is central to the program's mission of enabling faster, better-informed decisions. UX will play a key role in optimizing these user journeys.

• Automation & Efficiency: The program aims to deliver "mission-critical capabilities" and "trusted data at scale," suggesting a drive towards automation and efficiency in both the underlying systems and the user interactions with them.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Leidos's positioning as a large government contractor means its culture often balances structured, process-driven environments with a strong mission focus, particularly in defense and intelligence. The "not hiring followers" and "moving faster than anyone else dares" messaging suggests a dynamic, results-oriented culture for those who thrive in challenging, high-impact roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role signifies an experienced professional expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, provide mentorship, and influence design direction. The "Senior" title implies leadership in design thinking and execution rather than direct people management.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will report into a program-focused structure, likely within Leidos's Digital Modernization sector, with direct engagement with government program leads and product owners. This structure offers exposure to both corporate and client-side program management.

Operations Impact: The UX designer's work will directly impact the ability of Department of War leaders to make "faster, better-informed decisions using trusted data at scale." This role is critical for translating complex data and analytics capabilities into usable tools that drive national security outcomes. The success of the program hinges on user adoption and effective utilization, making UX a key driver of mission success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in UX for data analytics, AI/ML systems, and secure government environments. Potential to specialize further in areas like information architecture, user research leadership, or design system management.

• Industry Conference & Certification Participation: Leidos often supports professional development, including attendance at relevant UX, design, and government technology conferences, and potentially certifications in Agile/SAFe or specific design tools.

• Leadership Development: While not a direct management role, growth can come through leading design initiatives, mentoring junior designers, and becoming a subject matter expert on specific program components or technologies. Potential pathways can lead to UX Lead, Principal UX Designer, or management roles within Leidos.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's seniority and the high-stakes nature of the program suggest significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly for individuals interested in contributing to national security and working with cutting-edge data and AI technologies. The "Senior" designation and the focus on enterprise solutions point towards a career trajectory involving increasing scope and strategic influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site within a secure government facility (The Pentagon). This implies a highly controlled environment with strict security protocols and potentially limited flexibility compared to typical commercial office spaces.

Office Location(s): The primary location is 8015 The Pentagon, Arlington, VA. This central location offers access to a significant defense and government hub.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While on-site, expect a team-oriented environment with frequent interaction with government personnel and fellow contractors. Collaboration will be key for understanding mission requirements and refining designs.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to Leidos's standard suite of design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) and potentially specialized government-approved software. Reliable network access and secure workstations will be provided.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct engagement with users and stakeholders, facilitating a deep understanding of their needs and challenges. Regular participation in team meetings, stand-ups, and planning sessions is expected.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with standard working hours typically aligning with government facility operating hours.

• While the job is on-site, the nature of government projects can sometimes necessitate flexibility or occasional extended hours to meet critical deadlines, though this is usually managed within program constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within The Pentagon signifies a unique and highly secure work environment. Candidates should be prepared for stringent security procedures and a professional atmosphere focused on mission accomplishment. The on-site requirement is non-negotiable for this role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio for alignment with basic and preferred qualifications, with a strong emphasis on clearance status and relevant experience.

• Technical Interview(s): Discussions focusing on your UX design process, problem-solving approach, and experience with specific tools and methodologies. Expect scenario-based questions related to designing for complex systems or data-intensive applications.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present and walk through selected projects from your portfolio, explaining your design rationale, process, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. This is a critical part of the evaluation.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of your communication skills, collaboration style, ability to work in a team environment, and alignment with Leidos's mission-driven culture. Questions may focus on handling ambiguity, stakeholder management, and working within government constraints.

• Security & Clearance Verification: Thorough vetting of your security clearance and eligibility.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience with enterprise applications, data visualization, complex systems, and human-centered design. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to data and analytics if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role, the challenges, your design process, key decisions, and the measurable impact or outcomes. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your methodology – how you conducted research, tested hypotheses, iterated on designs, and collaborated with teams. Showcase your understanding of Agile/DevSecOps integration.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs, such as improvements in task completion rates, reduction in user errors, or increased user satisfaction scores.

• Showcase Accessibility: If applicable, highlight how you incorporated Section 508 compliance or other accessibility standards into your designs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate potential design challenges that might involve simplifying complex data, designing for multiple user roles with different needs, or creating intuitive interfaces for analytical tools.

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to working with technical constraints, government requirements, and evolving project scopes.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, justifying them with user needs and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating experience with "complex systems" and "data platforms" is crucial. Candidates should be ready to discuss how they translate intricate requirements and vast datasets into user-friendly interfaces, especially within a secure government context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch (proficiency in at least one is essential).

• Wireframing & Flow Mapping: Tools like Balsamiq, Miro, or Mural may be used in conjunction with primary design software.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: Tools for conducting surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms), interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specialized product analytics platforms (e.g., Pendo, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior.

• Reporting Tools: Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) might be beneficial for understanding data insights that inform UX.

• Dashboard Tools: Ability to interpret data dashboards and potentially contribute to their UX design for internal program reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how automated workflows impact the user experience is beneficial.

• Familiarity with enterprise systems and how UX integrates with broader IT architectures.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch is a core requirement. Experience with user analytics tools and an understanding of how UX integrates with backend systems and data platforms will be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong dedication to supporting national security objectives and delivering impactful solutions for the Department of War.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality design and embracing new approaches to solve complex challenges within the data and analytics domain.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams of government personnel and industry partners to achieve shared goals.

• Integrity & Accountability: Upholding the highest ethical standards and taking ownership of design responsibilities and outcomes.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Thriving in a dynamic environment, adapting to changing requirements, and persevering through complex technical and security challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure UX is embedded throughout the development lifecycle.

• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture of providing and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes to foster continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share design expertise, best practices, and insights with team members to elevate the overall quality of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Leidos's culture, as indicated by its messaging, values proactive individuals who are driven by mission impact and are comfortable operating at the forefront of technology. The emphasis on collaboration is amplified by the complex, multi-stakeholder nature of the government program.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Data & Systems: Designing intuitive user experiences for highly complex data sets, advanced analytics, and potentially AI/ML systems requires significant expertise and innovative problem-solving.

• Security & Compliance: Navigating stringent security protocols and ensuring strict adherence to accessibility standards (Section 508) within a classified or multi-enclave environment.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively balancing the needs and expectations of diverse government stakeholders, technical teams, and end-users in a high-stakes environment.

• Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in data analytics, AI, and UX design methodologies to ensure solutions remain state-of-the-art and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX for data-intensive applications, AI/ML interfaces, and secure government systems.

• Industry Recognition: Opportunities to work on high-impact projects that can enhance your professional profile and contribute to national security.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers and learn from experienced professionals within Leidos and government program leadership.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Tech: Working at the forefront of enterprise data, analytics, and AI within the defense sector provides unique learning opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in defense contracting, requiring not only strong design skills but also resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to mission. The growth opportunities are substantial for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in a critical sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design an intuitive interface for a highly complex data set. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your research, design decisions, and outcomes.)

• "How do you ensure accessibility standards, like Section 508, are met in your designs, especially when working with technical constraints?" (Highlight your process for integration and compliance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does your UX philosophy align with Leidos's mission-driven culture and its focus on outthinking/outpacing the status quo?" (Connect your values and approach to the company's stated ethos.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a cross-functional team, including engineers and non-design stakeholders, to bring a design to fruition. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Showcase your communication and teamwork skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the user, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions made, and the resulting impact.

• Emphasize Problem-Solving: Focus on how you approached challenges and arrived at solutions, rather than just presenting final screens.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the tools you used, and how you collaborated with others.

• Showcase Relevant Experience: Prioritize projects that involve complex systems, data visualization, or enterprise applications, especially any related to government or defense.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the program's focus on data, analytics, and national security, interviewers will be keen to understand your ability to translate complex requirements into usable solutions within a secure environment. Highlighting experience with data visualization, AI/ML interfaces, and Section 508 compliance will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position at Leidos:

• Submit your application through the Leidos careers portal via the provided URL.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience with enterprise applications, data visualization, complex systems, and human-centered design. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, process, and measurable outcomes.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 8-12 years of relevant UX design experience, proficiency with design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch), experience with Section 508, Agile methodologies, and any experience with data platforms, AI/ML, or government environments.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your selected portfolio projects, clearly articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design decisions and collaboration style.

• Research Leidos and the Program: Understand Leidos's mission, its role in government contracting, and the specific goals of the enterprise data and analytics program. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your interest and fit.

⚠️ 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.