Senior UX/UI Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX/UI Engineer

Company: The MITRE Corporation

Location: McLean, Virginia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Bedford, Massachusetts (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Software Engineering / User Experience

Date Posted: August 17, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 50% on-site)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the intersection of User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI) design, and front-end software engineering to create impactful, user-centered solutions for national missions.

• You will be instrumental in translating complex user needs and mission requirements into intuitive, scalable, and effective software applications and interfaces.

• The position requires a strong advocacy for the end-user, ensuring that human-centered design principles are integrated throughout the entire software development lifecycle.

• You will serve as a technical guide and mentor, sharing expertise in UX engineering, front-end development, and modern software development practices with team members and stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior UX/UI Engineer," the responsibilities and required skills indicate a strong emphasis on front-end development and engineering practices, positioning this role as a hybrid between a dedicated UX/UI designer and a senior front-end engineer. The focus on "software solutions" and "front-end technologies" alongside design tools highlights this blend.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including human factors engineers, UX designers, researchers, project leaders, and sponsors, to conceptualize and build user-centered software.

• Apply modern front-end technologies (JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, CSS, React, Angular, Vue) and engineering best practices (Git, Agile, CI/CD) to develop robust software solutions.

• Champion end-user needs by ensuring user-centered design principles are embedded from concept to deployment, enhancing user effectiveness and mission outcomes.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance on software implementation, architecture, and application performance analysis to internal teams and government sponsors.

• Lead design and development efforts for user interfaces, incorporating user research, usability testing, and iterative feedback to optimize user experience and achieve mission objectives.

• Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to clearly communicate design concepts and facilitate collaborative decision-making with cross-functional teams.

• Establish and maintain design systems, UI standards, and reusable front-end component libraries to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across diverse applications.

• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to enhance user experience, improve operational efficiency, and address evolving national challenges.

• Present design recommendations, technical solutions, and project progress to project teams, sponsors, and senior leadership effectively.

• Mentor junior engineers, fostering their growth in UX engineering, front-end development, and user-centered design methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "software solutions," "front-end technologies," and "engineering best practices" alongside UX/UI responsibilities suggests that candidates with strong coding skills in modern frameworks will be highly valued. The role is not purely design-focused but requires a significant engineering component.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Human-Centered Engineering, UX/UI, or a closely related technical field is required.

• An advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant technical discipline is preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in UX/UI engineering, front-end development, or a related software engineering role.

• Demonstrated experience applying modern software engineering practices, including Git-based source control, peer code reviews, Agile development methodologies, automated testing, and CI/CD pipelines. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in developing modern web applications using JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, and CSS.

• Hands-on experience with contemporary front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.

• Proven ability to develop accessible web applications adhering to WCAG and Section 508 accessibility standards.

• Demonstrated experience with UX design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or equivalent).

• Experience with modern software development workflows, including Git, Agile methodologies, and CI/CD practices.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate and apply new technologies to complex technical challenges.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts and design rationale to diverse audiences, including sponsors and stakeholders.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

• A strong commitment to contributing to national mission objectives. Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting user research activities such as usability studies, contextual inquiry, and user interviews.

• Experience applying human-centered design principles to AI-enabled systems, decision-support tools, or mission-critical government applications.

• Experience developing and maintaining comprehensive design systems or component libraries.

• Active security clearance.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a curiosity for exploring and advancing software development boundaries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "4+ years of related experience" with a bachelor's degree suggests a mid-to-senior level individual contributor. The explicit mention of modern frameworks and engineering practices implies that practical coding ability is as crucial as design tool proficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing UX/UI design work, demonstrating creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

• Evidence of design application within software development contexts, ideally including web applications or complex user interfaces.

• Examples that highlight the candidate's ability to translate user insights and mission needs into tangible design solutions.

• Documentation or case studies that illustrate the iterative design process, including wireframing, prototyping, and user feedback incorporation. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate proficiency in applying modern software development processes, including Agile methodologies, Git-based workflows, and CI/CD pipelines.

• Showcase experience in developing and maintaining design systems and reusable front-end components, emphasizing consistency, scalability, and accessibility.

• Provide examples of how user research and usability testing were integrated into the design and development lifecycle to inform decisions and improve outcomes.

• Illustrate the ability to evaluate and adopt new technologies and methodologies to enhance user experience and mission effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the hybrid nature of the role, the portfolio should ideally include examples that bridge design and implementation. This could include interactive prototypes built with code, or case studies that detail the design process from concept to functional front-end implementation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $129,200 - $193,800 Annual The provided salary range reflects the midpoint and the full potential range for this role, indicating significant room for growth and negotiation based on experience, skills, and specific qualifications.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, providing comprehensive coverage and support.

• Exceptional professional development opportunities designed for career growth and skill enhancement.

• Access to MITRE's extensive resources for research and innovation.

• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

• Opportunities to work on impactful projects addressing critical national challenges.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time). The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in scheduling, with a minimum of 50% of working days requiring on-site presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is substantial, reflecting the senior level and specialized skill set required. The "midpoint" being explicitly stated suggests a structured compensation philosophy. The benefits highlight professional development, which is crucial for a role involving evolving technologies and complex problem-solving.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Not-for-Profit Technology Research and Development. MITRE operates federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) for government sponsors, focusing on public interest without commercial conflicts. This means the work is mission-driven and aims for broad societal impact.

Company Size: Large enterprise. MITRE is a significant organization, implying structured processes, extensive resources, and a broad network of professionals.

Founded: 1958. With a long history, MITRE has established a deep expertise and a strong reputation in applied research and problem-solving for national security and public welfare.

Team Structure:

• The department operates within the Software Engineering Innovation Center, suggesting a focus on cutting-edge development and advanced technical solutions.

• The team is multidisciplinary, comprising engineers, designers, researchers, and project leaders, fostering a collaborative environment.

• As a Senior UX/UI Engineer, you will likely collaborate closely with product managers, software architects, and government sponsors. Methodology:

• Emphasizes user-centered design principles and human-centered engineering throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Leverages modern software engineering practices, including Agile development, CI/CD, and automated testing, to ensure efficiency and quality.

• Focuses on data-driven decision-making, informed by user research, usability testing, and stakeholder feedback.

• Encourages continuous learning, curiosity, and technical excellence to tackle complex, mission-critical challenges.

Company Website: https://careers.mitre.org/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: MITRE's unique position as a not-for-profit R&D organization means the emphasis is on impact and public service rather than profit. This culture attracts individuals passionate about solving large-scale, complex problems for the nation. The hybrid work model is standard for many large tech-oriented organizations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Senior" individual contributor. It requires a significant level of expertise in both UX/UI design and front-end engineering, with the ability to mentor others and lead technical aspects of projects. The focus is on technical depth and problem-solving rather than direct people management.

Reporting Structure: You will report to a department leader within the Software Engineering Innovation Center. Collaboration will be cross-functional, working with various project teams, sponsors, and other technical experts across MITRE.

Operations Impact: As a Senior UX/UI Engineer, your work will directly influence the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of critical software systems used by government entities. Your contributions will aim to improve operational efficiency, safety, and security for national missions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific front-end frameworks, accessibility standards, design systems, or human-machine teaming technologies.

• Leadership Development: Transition into roles leading technical teams, architecting complex solutions, or managing project initiatives within the UX/UI engineering domain.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain experience in areas like AI/ML interfaces, cybersecurity UX, or advanced data visualization by working on diverse projects.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior engineers and contributing to best practice development within the department.

• Advanced Education: Pursue further academic qualifications with support from MITRE's professional development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path towards technical leadership or specialized expertise within the operations domain, rather than immediate management. MITRE's focus on R&D suggests ample opportunities for learning and applying new technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This involves a combination of remote work and mandatory on-site presence at one of the specified MITRE locations (McLean, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; Bedford, MA). A minimum of 50% of working days must be spent on-site.

Office Location(s):

• McLean, Virginia: A major hub for government contractors and tech companies in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

• Colorado Springs, Colorado: A significant location for defense and aerospace technology.

• Bedford, Massachusetts: Part of the greater Boston tech ecosystem, known for innovation and research. Workspace Context:

• The on-site component is designed to foster collaboration, team cohesion, and direct interaction with sponsors and project teams.

• You will have access to modern development tools, collaborative workspaces, and potentially specialized labs or equipment relevant to R&D projects.

• Expect an environment that values technical excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) with a hybrid model providing some flexibility in balancing remote and in-office workdays. This structure aims to support both focused individual work and essential team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement of at least 50% on-site is a key detail. Candidates must be willing and able to commute to one of the specified locations regularly. The locations themselves are in areas with strong tech and government presences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess qualifications against basic requirements.

• Technical Interview(s): Discussions focusing on UX/UI principles, front-end development skills (JavaScript, frameworks, HTML/CSS), accessibility standards, and problem-solving approaches. Expect coding challenges or live coding exercises.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present and discuss selected projects from your portfolio, explaining your design process, technical implementation, and the impact of your work.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Assessment of your collaboration style, communication skills, ability to mentor, and alignment with MITRE's mission and values. Questions may focus on how you handle complex challenges, stakeholder management, and teamwork.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or hiring managers to discuss role fit and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your hybrid UX/UI and front-end engineering capabilities. Prioritize projects that align with MITRE's mission (e.g., government applications, complex systems, mission-critical tools).

• Showcase the Process: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role, the design process (research, wireframing, prototyping), the technical stack and implementation details, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Hybrid Skills: Explicitly detail how you bridged design and development. If you built interactive prototypes with code, showcase that. Explain your approach to accessibility and responsive design.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs and implementations (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user satisfaction scores).

• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss your code, architectural decisions, and specific front-end challenges you overcame.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking & Problem Solving: Practice articulating how you approach user problems, from discovery to solution. Be prepared for hypothetical design challenges.

• Front-End Technical Proficiency: Brush up on core JavaScript concepts, your preferred framework (React, Angular, Vue), HTML semantics, CSS best practices, and accessibility implementation.

• System Design Basics: Understand how your UI components fit into a larger software architecture.

• Communication & Collaboration: Prepare examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholder expectations, and mentored junior colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that demonstrates both design and front-end engineering is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss technical implementation details as much as design rationale.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or equivalent platforms for wireframing, mockups, and interactive prototyping.

• Front-End Development:

  • Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML5, CSS3.
  • Frameworks/Libraries: React, Angular, Vue.js (experience with at least one is expected).
  • State Management: Redux, Zustand, Vuex, NgRx (depending on framework).
  • Styling: CSS-in-JS libraries (Styled Components, Emotion), Sass/SCSS, Tailwind CSS.

• Version Control: Git (required), with experience in Git-based workflows (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for this role, experience with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) for understanding user behavior post-launch can be beneficial.

• Proficiency in creating dashboards or reports to present UX/UI impact data to stakeholders would be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of this UX/UI Engineer role, but understanding how front-end applications integrate with backend systems and APIs is essential.

• Familiarity with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) and automated testing frameworks (e.g., Jest, Cypress, Playwright) is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on modern web development. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with specific frameworks and tools mentioned, as well as their understanding of the broader software development lifecycle including CI/CD and testing.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong desire to contribute to national security, health, and safety by solving complex problems.

• Technical Excellence: Commitment to high-quality engineering, innovative solutions, and staying current with technology trends.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with diverse teams, government sponsors, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: An intrinsic drive to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches to problem-solving.

• User Advocacy: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user to ensure effective and intuitive technology.

• Integrity & Objectivity: Operating without commercial conflicts to provide unbiased, impactful solutions for the public interest.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with software engineers, human factors specialists, researchers, project managers, and government representatives.

• Iterative Feedback: The culture encourages open communication and regular feedback loops throughout the design and development process.

• Knowledge Sharing: MITRE fosters an environment where sharing expertise, best practices, and lessons learned is common and encouraged.

• Proactive Engagement: Team members are expected to take initiative, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute actively to project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: MITRE's culture is shaped by its mission as a public interest R&D organization. This translates to a focus on impact, technical rigor, and collaborative problem-solving, distinct from typical commercial tech environments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Mission Needs: Effectively understanding and designing for intricate, often ill-defined, government mission requirements that may involve high stakes and diverse user groups.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Navigating the complexities of government systems, security requirements, and legacy infrastructure while advocating for optimal user experience.

• Adopting Emerging Technologies: Evaluating and integrating cutting-edge technologies into government systems, which can sometimes have longer adoption cycles or specific security protocols.

• Cross-Organizational Collaboration: Facilitating effective communication and alignment across MITRE teams, different government agencies, and various stakeholder groups with potentially differing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to internal and external training programs focused on advanced UX/UI techniques, emerging front-end technologies, human-computer interaction, and AI/ML interfaces.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, IA Summit, technology-specific events) and pursue professional certifications.

• Mentorship Programs: Engage with senior technical leaders and UX experts for guidance, career advice, and skill development.

• Research & Innovation: Contribute to MITRE's R&D efforts, potentially exploring new frontiers in human-machine teaming, interactive systems, and user-centric AI.

• Project Diversity: Work on a wide array of projects across different domains (e.g., cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense), broadening your experience and technical repertoire.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working within the government and defense sectors, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities are substantial, driven by MITRE's R&D focus and commitment to employee development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user problem you solved using a combination of UX design and front-end engineering. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you ensure accessibility (WCAG/Section 508) is integrated throughout the design and development process, not just as an add-on?"

• "Walk us through your approach to building or maintaining a design system. What are the key components and benefits?"

• "How would you evaluate and integrate a new front-end technology or UX tool into an existing project, especially within a government context?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing stakeholder requirements or user needs with technical limitations. How did you navigate that situation?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to MITRE's mission and its role as a not-for-profit R&D organization?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers, researchers, and non-technical stakeholders?"

• "Describe your experience working in an Agile environment. How do you contribute to iterative development?"

• "How do you stay current with the latest trends in UX/UI design and front-end engineering?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role, the design and development process, the technologies used, and the measurable impact or lessons learned.

• Focus on the "Why" and "How": Explain the rationale behind your design decisions and technical choices. Demonstrate your problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Hybrid Skills: Explicitly show how you integrated UX principles with front-end implementation. If you coded prototypes, showcase that.

• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Anticipate deep dives into your code, architecture, and development practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe both your technical design skills and your ability to apply them within a structured, mission-oriented environment. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase this blend.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX/UI Engineer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application through the MITRE careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight specific experiences with JavaScript/TypeScript, modern front-end frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508), UX/UI design tools (Figma, Adobe XD), and Agile/CI/CD methodologies. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that clearly demonstrates your hybrid UX/UI design and front-end engineering skills. Include case studies that detail your process, technical implementation, and impact. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a personal website, Behance, GitHub repository with live demos).

• Research MITRE: Understand MITRE's mission, its role as an FFRDC, and its impact areas (cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, etc.). This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on clear communication of technical details, design rationale, and outcomes. Be ready to answer technical and behavioral questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with The MITRE Corporation before making application decisions.