Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Steampunk

Location: McLean, Virginia, United States

Job Type: OTHER

Category: UX/UI Design & Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-04-16

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead human-centered design initiatives within the government contracting sector, leveraging the Design Intelligence™ framework.

• Lead the end-to-end UX/UI design process from initial discovery and user research to final interface design, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Act as the primary advocate for the user, ensuring their needs and pain points are central to all proposed digital solutions.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams in an Agile environment to integrate research findings and design solutions seamlessly into technical sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description focuses on UX/UI Design, the context of "government clients," "Design Intelligence™ framework," and "traditional government contracting" positions this role within a specialized niche that requires strong operational understanding of client missions and project constraints. The "Senior" title implies leadership in design strategy and execution, requiring not just creative skill but also the ability to manage projects and influence stakeholders, akin to a project management or operations lead within a design context. The emphasis on Agile and Scrum further highlights the need for operational efficiency and structured delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute all phases of the discovery process, encompassing in-depth understanding of client missions, stakeholder ecosystems, user needs, current state journeys, and program objectives.

• Facilitate workshops and conduct interviews to identify key pain points, define critical insights, validate hypotheses, and articulate a compelling vision for user experiences.

• Employ and articulate the value of UX artifacts such as journey maps, service blueprints, personas, ecosystem maps, and experience maps in shaping user-centric digital solutions.

• Conduct comprehensive user research and usability testing, translating gathered insights into actionable, implementable digital experience designs.

• Drive collaboration and clear communication of stakeholder and user needs within a cross-functional, Agile delivery team.

• Understand and effectively design within the specific constraints and specifications of diverse technologies, platforms, and operational environments relevant to government projects.

• Design intuitive, elegant, and accessible interfaces, employing a rigorous test-and-learn process to ensure continuous improvement and quality.

• Ensure all design deliverables across multiple projects meet the highest standards of quality, usability, and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution. For operations professionals, this translates to managing the flow of design projects, ensuring timely delivery of design artifacts, and integrating design processes with development sprints. Understanding the "Design Intelligence™ framework" and its application to government clients is critical, suggesting a need for process-oriented thinking and adaptability.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Human-Centered Design (HCD), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or UX Design.

Experience: 6+ years of professional UX and UI design experience, with a proven track record of designing viable solutions for multi-platform digital products.

Required Skills:

• Ability to obtain a U.S. government Public Trust Security Clearance.

• Mastery of primary and secondary user research methodologies, including user interviews, discovery and co-creation workshops, heuristic evaluations, and card sorting.

• Demonstrated ability to translate research insights into effective personas, journey maps, site maps, ecosystem maps, information architecture, and interface designs.

• Expertise in UI design principles, including wireframing, low- and high-fidelity prototyping, moderated and unmoderated user testing, and accessibility testing.

• In-depth knowledge and practical experience with Section 508 compliance requirements.

• Proven experience working within a Scrum team and Agile delivery framework, adept at integrating research and design into technical sprints, including writing user stories and story pointing.

• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, and Zeplin.

• A proactive approach to staying current with evolving industry tools and best practices, with the ability to recommend optimal solutions.

• Experience collaborating within multi-disciplinary delivery teams, including service designers, technologists, data scientists, engineers, solution architects, and change managers.

• Strong analytical skills, coupled with a natural curiosity for problem-solving.

• Excellent written communication and presentation skills, with a highly collaborative nature.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous work experience in or with the federal government.

• Previous consulting experience.

• Experience working on a cross-functional Salesforce implementation team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required skills emphasizes a deep operational understanding of the design lifecycle and Agile methodologies. For applicants, demonstrating proficiency in translating research into actionable design within tight sprint cycles is crucial. The preference for government and consulting experience suggests a need to understand complex stakeholder environments and project management nuances.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing your design ideology, methodologies, tools used, acquired skills, and craftsmanship.

• Specific case studies demonstrating your ability to conduct user research, translate findings into design artifacts (personas, journey maps, IA), and develop intuitive user interfaces.

• Examples of wireframes, low- and high-fidelity prototypes, and documented usability/accessibility testing results.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your process for conducting user research, from participant recruitment to data synthesis and insight generation.

• Illustrate your workflow for translating user needs and business requirements into functional prototypes and final interface designs.

• Provide examples of how you have tested and iterated on designs based on user feedback and accessibility standards (e.g., 508 compliance).

• Demonstrate your approach to collaborating with technical teams and stakeholders to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation within project constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is central to this role. Applicants must present a clear, well-documented process that highlights their ability to manage design projects efficiently, integrate with development teams, and deliver user-centered solutions that meet specific government compliance standards. The emphasis on "Design Intelligence™" suggests a need to articulate a structured, repeatable design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $170,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Employee-owned company structure, providing a stake in the company's success.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Comprehensive benefits package (details not fully specified, but typical for employee-owned firms).

• Potential for involvement in impactful government projects.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior UX/UI Designer role, especially in the government contracting sector in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The employee-owned structure is a significant differentiator, indicating a strong emphasis on employee well-being and long-term commitment, which can influence work-life balance and operational decision-making. The "OTHER" employment type is noted, suggesting this might be a contract or specific project-based role, though the benefits listed lean towards full-time employment. The salary estimate is based on the provided AI data and reflects typical market rates for this experience level and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Federal Contracting, Technology Consulting, Human-Centered Design. Steampunk operates at the intersection of traditional government contracting and modern design thinking, aiming to disrupt established norms with innovative, user-focused solutions.

Company Size: Mid-sized (likely 200-1000 employees based on typical government contracting firms of this nature). This size offers a balance between the structure of a larger organization and the agility of a smaller one, fostering collaborative environments.

Founded: The company was founded with a vision to integrate human-centered design into federal projects, emphasizing a startup mentality within a stable industry.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI team is likely integrated within project-based delivery teams, working closely with Service Designers, Technologists, Data Scientists, Engineers, Solution Architects, and Change Managers.

• Reporting structure probably involves a Design Lead or Director overseeing multiple project teams, with Senior Designers leading specific initiatives.

Methodology:

• The core methodology is Steampunk's proprietary "Design Intelligence™" framework, which integrates human-centered design principles with practical application for government clients.

• Emphasis on Agile and Scrum methodologies for iterative development and efficient project delivery.

• Data-driven decision-making is expected, with user research and testing informing design iterations.

Company Website: http://www.steampunk.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk's unique positioning as an employee-owned company with a "startup mindset" in federal contracting implies a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and employee empowerment. For operations professionals, this suggests a dynamic environment where process improvement and efficient execution are highly valued, as employee ownership often correlates with a higher degree of engagement and a focus on long-term business health.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Design Lead. This role is for an experienced designer who can not only execute but also guide and mentor others, lead design strategy for projects, and influence client approaches. The focus is on leading design initiatives and ensuring successful project outcomes through effective UX/UI implementation.

Reporting Structure: Reports into a Design Manager or Director, and works collaboratively within Agile Scrum teams, reporting to a Scrum Master or Product Owner for sprint-level tasks.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is measured by the successful adoption and effectiveness of digital products designed for government clients. This includes improving user satisfaction, achieving mission objectives through intuitive interfaces, ensuring compliance (e.g., 508), and contributing to the overall efficiency and success of client programs through well-designed digital experiences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Principal UX/UI Designer or Design Lead roles, managing larger or more complex projects and teams.

• Opportunities to specialize in specific government sectors (Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health, DoD) or advanced design disciplines.

• Potential to contribute to the evolution of Steampunk's Design Intelligence™ framework and internal design standards.

• Leadership development through mentorship programs and by guiding junior designers within project teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation and the emphasis on leading "design initiatives" suggest a role that requires strong operational management of design projects. Growth opportunities are likely tied to project leadership, strategic influence, and potentially team management, mirroring career paths in operations where individuals move from executing processes to optimizing and leading them.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based in McLean, VA, indicating a need for physical presence at a company or client site.

Office Location(s): McLean, Virginia, USA. This location is in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, a hub for government contracting.

Workspace Context:

• Operates within a project-based, Agile Scrum team environment, fostering close collaboration with technologists, data scientists, and other specialists.

• Access to standard design tools and technologies (Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, Zeplin).

• Likely a dynamic workspace that supports both focused individual design work and frequent team-based collaboration and client interactions.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team dynamics within the Agile framework. The emphasis on Agile suggests a structured yet adaptable schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in McLean, VA, is critical. For operations professionals, this suggests a traditional work environment where in-person collaboration, client meetings, and team sync-ups are prioritized. Understanding the dynamics of working within government facilities or for government clients might also be relevant.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for relevant experience, skills, and alignment with Steampunk's design philosophy and government client needs.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, walking through case studies that demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and impact. This will be followed by technical questions related to UX/UI principles, research methodologies, and Agile practices.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: Discussion with potential team members (technologists, data scientists, etc.) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate into an Agile Scrum team.

• Client/Mission Alignment Interview: Focus on understanding your approach to working with government clients, your ability to grasp complex missions, and your commitment to human-centered design within constrained environments.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to assess cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly outlining the problem, your role, the process followed (discovery, research, ideation, design, testing), key decisions, challenges, and measurable outcomes.

• Showcase Process: Emphasize your methodology, especially how you apply human-centered design principles and integrate user research into your workflow. Clearly articulate how you translated insights into design solutions.

• Highlight Operations: For each project, detail how you managed your design tasks within project timelines, collaborated with technical teams, and ensured compliance (e.g., 508). Quantify impact where possible (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced user errors).

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools used and how they facilitated your design process.

• Tailor to Steampunk: Research Steampunk's "Design Intelligence™" framework and mention how your approach aligns with or complements it. Highlight any government or consulting experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design exercise or a deep dive into a specific case study from your portfolio.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely and persuasively.

• Understand common government contracting challenges and how UX/UI design can address them.

• Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of Steampunk's mission, culture, and client engagement model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges highlights the need for candidates to demonstrate not just creative talent but also a structured, process-oriented approach to design, akin to operations management. Articulating the "operational" aspects of design—project management, collaboration, and delivering within constraints—will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, Zeplin. Proficiency in these tools is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and design assets.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, usability testing (moderated/unmoderated), and accessibility testing. Specific tools may vary but include platforms for participant recruitment and session recording.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Familiarity with Agile/Scrum tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence) for user story creation, story pointing, and sprint planning. Tools for collaborative design reviews and feedback (e.g., InVision, Figma's collaboration features).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for UX/UI, understanding how to interpret user analytics (e.g., from Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or specialized product analytics tools) to inform design decisions is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems like Salesforce is a preferred bonus, indicating an understanding of integrated business systems and potential for designing user experiences within such platforms.

• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts and how design can streamline user interactions within automated processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in specific design software is critical. For operations roles, understanding how these design tools integrate with project management and development workflows (Agile/Scrum) is paramount. The mention of Salesforce as a bonus highlights the increasing overlap between UX/UI and business operations platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Design: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs as the primary driver for all design decisions.

• Integrity & Mission Focus: Dedication to supporting client missions within the federal government, ensuring solutions are impactful and trustworthy.

• Collaboration & Shared Accountability: Working effectively within diverse, cross-functional teams, fostering an environment of mutual respect and shared ownership of project outcomes.

• Innovation & Disruption: A proactive approach to challenging traditional methods and introducing creative, practical, and scalable solutions.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to producing high-quality deliverables that meet rigorous standards for usability, accessibility, and client satisfaction.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with technologists, data scientists, service designers, and change managers in an Agile environment.

• Emphasis on open communication, constructive feedback, and iterative design processes.

• Strong focus on stakeholder management, ensuring alignment between user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk's values emphasize a client-centric, mission-driven approach combined with a forward-thinking, innovative mindset. For operations professionals, this translates to a need for adaptability, strong communication, and a focus on delivering tangible results that align with both user needs and client objectives. The "employee-owned" aspect likely fosters a culture of accountability and shared purpose.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Constraints: Designing effective user experiences within the strict regulations, security protocols, and legacy systems often found in federal government projects.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical/Operational Realities: Ensuring user-centric designs are feasible, scalable, and align with the operational environments and technological limitations of government clients.

• Integrating Design into Agile Workflows: Effectively embedding UX/UI processes and research findings into rapid sprint cycles and collaborating seamlessly with development teams.

• Staying Ahead of Evolving Technologies and Best Practices: Continuously adapting design skills and methodologies to incorporate new tools, platforms, and user expectations in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility (508 compliance), user research for complex systems, or specific government sectors.

• Methodology Advancement: Contribute to and learn from Steampunk's proprietary "Design Intelligence™" framework and evolve best practices.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to various technical domains, data science applications, and change management strategies through project work.

• Leadership Skills: Develop project leadership, client management, and team mentoring capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of working in government contracting. Successfully navigating these requires strong process management, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt strategies to fit specific constraints, all key attributes for operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements with user needs. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses problem-solving, negotiation, and user advocacy.)

• "How do you integrate user research findings into an Agile sprint cycle? Can you give an example?" (Tests understanding of operational integration of design into development.)

• "Walk us through your process for ensuring Section 508 compliance in your designs." (Evaluates knowledge of critical government requirements and design implementation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Steampunk's 'Design Intelligence™' framework and our approach to government contracting?" (Gauges research and alignment with company ethos.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to an employee-owned company culture?" (Explores collaboration and ownership mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Frame each case study as a story: the challenge, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.

• Process Visualization: Use diagrams and visuals to show your workflow, stakeholder engagement, and research synthesis.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion, reduced errors, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Highlight Collaboration: Show how you worked with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects within a set time frame, focusing on the most relevant aspects for the role and Steampunk's focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating not just design skill but also the operational capacity to execute within complex environments, collaborate effectively, and understand client missions. Candidates should be ready to discuss their processes and how they contribute to project success from an operational standpoint.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned UX/UI design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Steampunk careers portal.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 6+ years of UX/UI experience, specific achievements in user research, prototyping, and UI design, and any experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies or government projects. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that best showcase your process, problem-solving skills, and impact. Ensure they demonstrate your ability to conduct research, design user-centered solutions, and integrate with technical teams. Explicitly mention your experience with 508 compliance if applicable.

• Prepare for portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, clearly articulating your design decisions, methodology, and the outcomes achieved. Be ready to answer questions about your process and collaboration style.

• Research Steampunk: Understand their "Design Intelligence™" framework, their mission, and their focus on human-centered design within the federal sector. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and project types.

⚠️ 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.

---