Senior UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Designer

Company: Steampunk

Location: McLean, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Other (Potentially Full-time, based on typical industry roles)

Category: UX/UI Design, Product Design, Government Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-09-09

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4+ years)

Remote Status: On-site (McLean, VA)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design process from discovery through interface design for government clients, applying human-centered methods to solve complex user experience challenges.

• Drive the adoption and usability of interfaces and systems by ensuring user needs are met within proposed solutions.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews and usability testing, to translate user needs into actionable strategies and elegant digital solutions.

• Contribute to branding initiatives and design libraries, ensuring consistency and quality across all project deliverables.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including service designers, technologists, product managers, and engineers, in an agile environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Senior UX/UI Designer" and the description focusing on "guiding government clients" and "Design Intelligence™ framework" strongly indicate a role within a consulting or professional services firm serving the federal sector. The "Other" employment type is likely a categorization quirk of the ATS; this role is typically full-time. The "On-site" designation in McLean, VA, is firm, requiring physical presence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Guide government clients through Steampunk's Design Intelligence™ framework, employing human-centered design (HCD) methodologies to address complex user experience challenges.

• Execute the full spectrum of UX/UI design initiatives, from initial discovery and user research to prototyping, iterative design, visual design, and comprehensive testing (user, usability, and accessibility).

• Act as the primary advocate for the end-user, ensuring their needs, pain points, and opportunities are deeply understood and integrated into proposed solutions.

• Develop and articulate a compelling user experience vision, leveraging key artifacts such as personas, journey maps, user flows, stakeholder maps, experience maps, and ecosystem diagrams.

• Design intuitive, elegant, and user-friendly digital solutions, validated through rigorous testing and iterative refinement processes.

• Contribute to and maintain branding guidelines and design systems, ensuring visual consistency and adherence to established standards across all projects.

• Drive the adoption and enhance the usability of interfaces and systems developed, focusing on seamless integration into user workflows.

• Ensure the production of high-quality deliverables across a diverse portfolio of projects, meeting strict client and internal standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a consultative approach, requiring the candidate to not only design but also to educate and guide government clients. The mention of "Design Intelligence™ framework" suggests a proprietary methodology that candidates should be prepared to learn and apply. The scope covers the entire design lifecycle from strategic discovery to detailed UI implementation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Centered Design (HCD), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record of creating effective solutions for multi-platform digital products, including mobile applications and responsive web designs.

• Demonstrated experience in a project-based environment, managing design processes from inception to completion. Required Skills:

• User Research: Expertise in conducting user interviews, uncovering pain points, identifying opportunities, and translating findings into actionable strategies.

• UX/UI Methods & Tools: Thorough knowledge and practical application of UX/UI methodologies, including the creation of low and high-fidelity wireframes, interactive prototypes, and conducting usability and accessibility testing.

• Design Systems & UI Design: Strong UI design skills and a solid understanding of how to create, maintain, and utilize design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Prototyping Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to use industry-standard prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Invision, and Axure.

• Agile Integration: Understanding of how to integrate user research insights with technology development within an agile framework.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Natural curiosity for problem-solving, coupled with strong analytical skills to dissect complex issues and devise effective solutions.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written communication and presentation skills, with a collaborative nature to effectively engage with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Self-Motivation & Adaptability: Ability to grasp new concepts quickly, demonstrate self-motivation, and stay abreast of evolving industry tools and best practices.

Preferred Skills:

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

• Familiarity with government contracting environments and public trust security clearance requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Public Trust Security Clearance is critical and should be a primary consideration for applicants. The experience level is clearly defined as 4+ years, positioning this as a senior contributor role. The emphasis on tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Invision, and Axure is specific and should be highlighted in candidate portfolios.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex UX/UI design projects that demonstrate a full design lifecycle, from initial discovery and research to final implementation and iteration.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the methodologies used (e.g., HCD, agile), and the specific design challenges encountered.

• Highlight the impact of your design solutions, supported by quantifiable results or qualitative feedback where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time, enhanced user satisfaction).

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs, demonstrating your proficiency with industry-standard tools.

• Demonstrate experience with design systems and how you've applied them to ensure consistency and scalability. Process Documentation:

• For each project, provide a concise overview of the design process followed, emphasizing how user research informed design decisions and how iterative testing was incorporated.

• Document your approach to integrating user feedback and usability testing findings into the design process for continuous improvement.

• Illustrate your understanding of agile development environments and how UX/UI processes are integrated within sprints and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just display visual work but also a deep understanding of the design process, strategic thinking, and the ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and their impact on business/client objectives. Demonstrating the ability to navigate client relationships and translate complex requirements into user-centric solutions will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $140,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

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

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)

• Professional development opportunities, including training and conferences

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives

• Access to Steampunk's proprietary "Design Intelligence™ process" and ongoing learning resources. Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, Steampunk may offer some flexibility depending on project needs and client requirements, though core hours will likely be expected for team collaboration and client interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is broad, reflecting the typical variance for senior UX/UI roles based on specific experience, the exact nature of client projects, and the candidate's ability to secure the required security clearance. Benefits are standard for professional services firms, but the emphasis on professional development and proprietary methodologies is a key differentiator.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting, Government Contracting, Software & Design Services. Steampunk operates within the federal contracting space, focusing on delivering innovative solutions to government clients across Homeland Security, Federal Civilian, Health, and DoD sectors.

Company Size: The company description suggests a growing firm that is a "Change Agent," implying a dynamic and evolving culture. Based on typical industry trends for such firms, it likely ranges from 50-500 employees, though specific LinkedIn data would refine this.

Founded: Company founded date is not provided, but the emphasis on being a "Change Agent" and their "Design Intelligence™ process" suggests a firm that has established itself but is focused on modernizing and innovating within the federal sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a dedicated design or innovation team, or embedded within project-specific, multi-disciplinary teams.

• Reporting structure will likely involve a Design Lead or Program Manager, with direct collaboration across service designers, technologists, product managers, and engineers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring seamless integration with client stakeholders and internal technical teams. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on using user research, analytics, and feedback to drive design decisions and provide actionable insights to clients.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Developing and refining user workflows to enhance efficiency, usability, and overall user experience.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not directly an automation role, the design solutions should aim for efficiency and usability, potentially incorporating automation where appropriate for the user.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk positions itself as an innovator ("Change Agent") within the federal sector, using a proprietary "Design Intelligence™ process." This suggests a culture that values creative problem-solving, client-centricity, and modern design thinking applied to government challenges. Candidates should be prepared for a mission-driven environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role. It requires significant autonomy, mentorship capabilities (though not explicitly stated as a management role), and the ability to lead design initiatives independently.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX/UI Designer will report to a higher-level design manager, program manager, or potentially a Director of Design/Innovation within Steampunk. They will work closely with project managers, technical leads, and client counterparts.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to enhancing the user experience of critical government systems. Successful designs can lead to increased efficiency, improved citizen services, better mission outcomes, and higher user adoption rates, directly contributing to client success and Steampunk's reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like HCD, accessibility, service design, or specific government domain UX.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead UX/UI Designer, Design Manager, or Program Manager role, overseeing teams and larger initiatives.

• Client Consulting: Develop advanced client-facing and strategic consulting skills, becoming a trusted advisor to government clients.

• Methodology Development: Contribute to the refinement and expansion of Steampunk's Design Intelligence™ process.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized consulting firm. The "senior" designation implies leadership potential, either through technical expertise or potential future management responsibilities. The government sector focus provides unique challenges and opportunities for impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site" in McLean, VA. This suggests a professional office environment, likely a hub for client meetings, team collaboration, and focused work.

Office Location(s): McLean, Virginia, a prominent area within the Washington D.C. metropolitan region, known for its concentration of government contractors and federal agencies. This location offers good accessibility and proximity to key clients.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an office designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, shared workspaces, and potentially design studios.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (Adobe Suite, Sketch, etc.) and potentially specialized tools for prototyping, user research, and project management. The company emphasizes its "Design Intelligence™ process," suggesting specific frameworks or digital tools might be utilized.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with designers, developers, product managers, and client representatives, fostering a dynamic and communicative work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Primarily a standard 40-hour work week, on-site. Flexibility may be possible, but client demands and project timelines in government contracting often necessitate adherence to specific schedules and availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in McLean, VA, is crucial. Candidates must be willing and able to commute to this location regularly. The environment is likely professional and client-focused, typical of a government contracting firm in the DC metro area.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key stage where candidates present their portfolio, discussing 1-2 projects in detail. Expect to explain your design process, decision-making rationale, user research findings, and the impact of your work.

• Technical Interview/Design Challenge: May involve a practical design exercise (e.g., solving a specific UX problem, critiquing an existing interface, or developing a quick prototype concept) or in-depth discussion of UX/UI methodologies.

• Client/Team Interviews: Discussions with potential team members and possibly client representatives to assess collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and ability to work within government contexts.

• Final Interview: Often with senior leadership to discuss career aspirations, strategic thinking, and overall fit with Steampunk's mission and culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling narratives. Clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the measurable outcome.

• Process Over Polish: While visual quality matters, emphasize the process you followed. Explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing user research and testing data.

• Client Context: If presenting government-related projects, highlight your understanding of the unique constraints and considerations within this sector.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific tools mentioned (Sketch, Adobe Suite, Invision, Axure) and how you leverage them effectively.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant work efficiently, respecting the interviewers' time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Decomposition: For any design challenge, focus on understanding the core problem before jumping to solutions. Ask clarifying questions.

• Methodology Application: Demonstrate how you would apply HCD principles, user research, and iterative design to the challenge.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating your thought process and rationale clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a client or cross-functional team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical gate. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design process, research methodologies, and the impact of their work with specific examples. Familiarity with government client environments and the ability to discuss the "Design Intelligence™ process" would be advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch, Invision, Axure. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in at least a subset of these.

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for surveys, interviews, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Collaboration & Communication: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and project management platforms (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello) are standard.

Analytics & Reporting:

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

• Experience with tools for creating reports and presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) is essential for stakeholder communication. CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce: Preferred experience working on cross-functional Salesforce implementation teams, indicating familiarity with CRM ecosystems and their user interfaces.

• Workflow Tools: Understanding of how to design efficient user workflows, potentially using BPMN or similar notations, and how these might integrate with backend systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Invision, Axure) are industry standards for UX/UI. Experience with Salesforce is a significant plus, suggesting potential projects within that ecosystem. A strong understanding of how design integrates with development and client requirements is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered Design: A core value, emphasizing the user's needs, goals, and experiences above all else.

• Innovation & Change Agentry: A drive to bring new thinking and solutions to the federal sector, challenging conventional approaches.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and with clients to achieve shared goals.

• Quality & Excellence: Commitment to delivering high-quality, well-researched, and rigorously tested design solutions.

• Mission Focus: Understanding and contributing to the success of government missions through effective design.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with developers, product managers, service designers, and business analysts, requiring clear communication and mutual respect for different disciplines.

• Client Partnership: A consultative approach, building trust and working collaboratively with government clients to understand their unique challenges and co-create solutions.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to constructive feedback on designs and processes, with an aim for continuous improvement and learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk's identity as a "Change Agent" and its use of "Design Intelligence™" suggest a culture that values proactive problem-solving, innovation, and a strong client partnership. Candidates should align with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Client Requirements: Understanding and translating complex, often bureaucratic, government requirements into user-friendly designs.

• Adhering to Security & Compliance: Designing within strict security protocols and accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508) common in government projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively bridging the gap between design thinking and technical implementation, especially within agile teams.

• Measuring Impact in Government: Demonstrating the tangible ROI and user impact of design initiatives within the context of government mission objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced HCD/UX Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in cutting-edge user research, service design, and interaction design techniques.

• Government Sector Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of specific federal agency missions and operational challenges.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and consultants within Steampunk's network.

• Conferences & Certifications: Potential for attending industry conferences (e.g., UXPA, IA Summit) and pursuing relevant certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the government contracting environment, requiring adaptability and a nuanced understanding of client needs and regulations. Growth opportunities are geared towards specialization and leadership within the federal consulting space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user need that conflicted with stakeholder requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on user advocacy, negotiation, and problem-solving.)

• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research for a complex government system. What methodologies would you prioritize and why?" (Demonstrate understanding of research techniques relevant to government context.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and compliant with standards like Section 508?" (Highlight knowledge of accessibility best practices and regulations.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with government clients and Steampunk's 'Design Intelligence™ process'?" (Show genuine interest in the sector and the company's methodology.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers in an agile environment?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and iterative processes.)

• "How would you define and measure the success of a UX design initiative for a government client?" (Focus on impact, outcomes, and client objectives.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Relevant Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills for this role, ideally with government or complex enterprise experience.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process (research, ideation, design, testing), your key contributions, and the final impact/results.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize how you arrived at your solutions, referencing user data, research findings, and design principles.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Interviewers may ask detailed questions about specific design decisions, tools used, or challenges faced.

• Demonstrate Enthusiasm: Show passion for UX/UI design and for contributing to Steampunk's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can not only design well but also strategize, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and understand the unique landscape of government contracting. Prepare to articulate your process and impact with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Steampunk careers portal (http://steampunk.com/careers or the provided ICIMS link).

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 4+ years of UX/UI design experience, proficiency with required tools (Sketch, Adobe Suite, Invision, Axure), experience with user research, prototyping, and design systems. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest projects, focusing on those that demonstrate a full design lifecycle, problem-solving skills, and impact. Prepare to present 1-2 projects in detail, emphasizing your process and rationale.

• Prepare for the Clearance: Be ready to discuss your eligibility and willingness to obtain a U.S. government Public Trust Security Clearance.

• Research Steampunk: Familiarize yourself with Steampunk's "Design Intelligence™ process," their mission, and the sectors they serve (Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health, DoD). Understand their "Change Agent" philosophy.

⚠️ 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.