SME UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SME UX Designer

Company: Leidos

Location: Arlington, VA, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/UI Design Operations, GTM Enablement (Design Strategy)

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the definition and implementation of user experience (UX) strategy and design standards across complex enterprise data and analytics applications within the Department of War.

• Apply human-centered design principles and conduct rigorous user research, usability testing, and workflow analysis to enhance product usability, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure consistency and efficiency across all product interfaces.

• Integrate UX design methodologies seamlessly into Agile and DevSecOps development processes, fostering collaboration with UI engineers, software developers, and product teams to deliver production-ready solutions.

• Drive the adoption of user-centric design practices to improve user workflows, navigation, and interaction models, ultimately contributing to better decision-making for national security outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is categorized under UX/UI Design Operations and GTM Enablement (Design Strategy) due to its focus on establishing design standards and improving product adoption, which directly impacts user enablement and Go-To-Market success for enterprise data solutions. The emphasis on "enterprise data and analytics products" and "Department of War" context suggests a strong alignment with government sector operations and the critical need for effective user experience in mission-critical applications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and lead the overarching user experience (UX) strategy and establish robust design standards for a suite of enterprise data and analytics applications.

• Champion and apply human-centered design principles across all product development phases to systematically improve usability, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction.

• Conduct and lead comprehensive user research initiatives, usability testing sessions, and detailed workflow analyses to gather actionable insights that inform critical design decisions.

• Develop detailed user personas, intuitive journey maps, and effective interaction models to serve as guiding frameworks for product design and development.

• Architect and oversee the creation of detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI/UX designs that clearly communicate design intent.

• Foster close collaboration with UI engineers, software developers, product managers, and key stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation of UX solutions.

• Ensure that UX design principles and practices are effectively integrated into Agile and DevSecOps development lifecycles, promoting iterative design and continuous improvement.

• Establish, maintain, and evolve comprehensive design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure brand consistency and design efficiency across the product portfolio.

• Continuously evaluate system interfaces, analyze user feedback, and leverage analytics data to identify and recommend improvements for enhanced user experience.

• Support and ensure compliance with accessibility standards, such as Section 508, and champion usability best practices throughout the design process.

• Provide expert recommendations and strategic guidance to optimize user workflows, enhance navigation intuitiveness, and refine interaction design for complex applications.

• Support the development of targeted training materials and comprehensive user guidance documentation to drive product adoption and user proficiency.

• Actively participate in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) ceremonies, including Program Increment (PI) Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, to ensure UX alignment with program objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic leadership role in UX, extending beyond individual design tasks to encompass strategy, standards, and process integration. The mention of "enterprise data and analytics products," "Department of War," and "SAFe ceremonies" indicates a need for experience in large-scale government projects with structured agile methodologies, common in operations and GTM contexts for complex software solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Design, or a closely related discipline. A Master’s degree in a related field is also highly valued.

Experience: A minimum of 12–15 years of relevant professional experience is required for candidates with a Bachelor's degree, or 10–13 years for those with a Master's degree. This includes at least 8 years specifically focused on UX design, human-factors engineering, or a comparable specialization.

Required Skills:

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with SCI eligibility is mandatory for this role.

• Demonstrated extensive experience in designing user experiences for complex, large-scale applications or enterprise platforms.

• Proven proficiency in conducting user research, usability testing, and workflow analysis to drive design decisions.

• Hands-on experience with industry-standard UX design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or comparable alternatives.

• Solid experience working within Agile or DevSecOps development environments, understanding their iterative nature.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional technical teams, including developers, engineers, and product managers.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing customer success plans that focus on user adoption and satisfaction.

• Strong, proven experience with Section 508 accessibility standards and ensuring compliance.

• Deep understanding of interaction design principles, information architecture best practices, and core usability concepts.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale clearly.

Preferred Skills:

• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.

• Prior experience supporting UX design specifically for data platforms, advanced analytics tools, or Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) systems.

• Experience designing user interfaces and experiences for multi-enclave or highly secure government environments.

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies (e.g., React, Angular) to facilitate better collaboration and understanding of implementation constraints.

• Experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-level design systems.

• Familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environments and associated processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (10-15 years) and the specific clearance level (TS/SCI) point to a senior-level, highly specialized role. The emphasis on complex enterprise platforms, data analytics, AI/ML, and secure environments suggests the need for operations professionals who can navigate intricate systems and contribute to mission-critical national security initiatives. Proficiency in specific tools and methodologies like Figma, Agile, and Section 508 are critical for operational efficiency and compliance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end UX design process for complex enterprise applications, highlighting problem definition, research, design iterations, and final outcomes.

• Provide evidence of successful application of human-centered design principles and user research methodologies, including examples of how user insights directly influenced design decisions and product improvements.

• Present examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs that illustrate intuitive navigation, efficient workflows, and adherence to usability best practices.

• Include documentation or examples of contributions to design systems, style guides, or UX standards, demonstrating an ability to create and maintain design consistency across multiple products.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate how you have documented and communicated UX design processes, including user research plans, usability testing reports, and design rationale documentation.

• Showcase experience in integrating UX design activities within Agile or DevSecOps development lifecycles, detailing how designs were translated into actionable development tasks and how feedback was incorporated.

• Provide examples of how you have measured and analyzed the impact of UX designs on user behavior, satisfaction, and key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to enterprise platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior UX role within a government contractor supporting critical national security missions, a portfolio is paramount. It needs to demonstrate not just design skills but also strategic thinking, process discipline, and the ability to deliver solutions within complex operational environments. The emphasis on enterprise platforms, accessibility, and integration with Agile/DevSecOps is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $131,300.00 - $237,350.00 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness Programs: Comprehensive health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness initiatives and resources to support employee well-being.

• Income Protection: Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage to provide financial security for employees and their families.

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

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

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued education, training, and participation in industry conferences to foster career growth and skill enhancement.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided pay range is a broad guideline for a senior-level position in a high-demand field, especially within the government contracting sector requiring specific clearances. The benefits listed are typical for large corporations like Leidos and are designed to attract and retain talent in specialized technical roles. The mention of "flexibility depending on project needs" is standard for on-site roles where team coordination is critical.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Defense Services. Leidos operates at the forefront of technology, providing advanced solutions for government and commercial customers, with a significant focus on national security, defense, and intelligence sectors. This industry context implies a mission-driven environment where technological innovation directly supports critical operations.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. Leidos is a global science and technology solutions leader with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This size indicates a structured corporate environment with established processes, extensive resources, and diverse career opportunities, but also potentially a more formalized approach to operations and project management.

Founded: 1969. With a long history, Leidos has a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of defense and technology, suggesting a culture of stability, experience, and adaptation to long-term technological shifts.

Team Structure:

• The UX design team likely operates within the Digital Modernization sector, specifically supporting enterprise data and analytics programs for the Department of War. It is expected to be a specialized team, possibly with a mix of senior and mid-level UX designers, researchers, and potentially interaction designers.

• Reporting structure is likely hierarchical within the sector, with the SME UX Designer potentially reporting to a UX Lead, Program Manager, or Director of Digital Modernization. Collaboration will be heavily matrixed, involving close partnership with government stakeholders, software engineers, data scientists, and product owners.

Methodology:

• Data analysis will be central to understanding user behavior, identifying pain points, and measuring the impact of design solutions. This involves leveraging user analytics, feedback platforms, and potentially A/B testing results.

• Workflow planning and optimization will focus on streamlining user journeys within complex data and analytics platforms, ensuring efficiency and reducing cognitive load for users making critical decisions.

• Automation and efficiency practices will be applied to the design process itself through the use of design systems, reusable components, and efficient prototyping tools, as well as ensuring the final products are efficient for end-users.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Leidos's positioning as a major defense contractor implies a culture that prioritizes mission success, security, and rigorous execution. The "Digital Modernization" sector suggests an environment focused on updating and improving existing systems with advanced technologies. The UX Designer's role is critical in translating complex government requirements into user-friendly interfaces that support national security objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Senior Individual Contributor level within the UX design discipline, specifically focused on enterprise-level applications within a defense context. The scope involves defining strategic direction, setting standards, and providing expert guidance, rather than managing a team directly. The responsibilities extend to influencing product roadmaps and ensuring design quality across multiple products.

Reporting Structure: The SME UX Designer will likely report to a senior leader within the Digital Modernization sector, such as a UX Lead, Program Director, or Chief Technology Officer. Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, data scientists, and government stakeholders, necessitating strong communication and influence skills.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the usability and effectiveness of enterprise data and analytics products used by Department of War personnel. By improving user experience, this role contributes to faster, more informed decision-making, enhanced operational efficiency, and ultimately, better national security outcomes. The design choices made will have a tangible effect on mission success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX for complex government systems, data visualization, AI/ML interfaces, and secure multi-enclave environments. Potential to become the go-to expert for UX within the program.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy. Potential progression to UX Lead, Principal UX Designer, or even management roles within the Digital Modernization sector.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of defense operations, data analytics, and AI technologies, broadening career applicability within Leidos and the broader defense industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a senior UX professional in a large defense contractor like Leidos often involves specialization and increasing strategic influence. The "SME" title indicates a recognized expert status, opening doors to leadership roles in design strategy, large-scale program execution, and mentorship.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily an on-site role, likely within a government facility or a dedicated Leidos office supporting government contracts. This setting often involves enhanced security protocols and a structured work environment designed for classified or sensitive operations.

Office Location(s): The primary location is 8015 The Pentagon, Arlington, VA. This implies proximity to key decision-makers and a highly secure operational environment. Other potential Leidos facilities supporting similar programs in the DC Metro area might also be relevant.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative yet secure, fostering interaction among cross-functional teams while adhering to stringent security requirements. Expect a professional environment with access to necessary IT infrastructure and potentially specialized secure development environments.

• Operations tools and technology will be provided, including high-performance workstations, relevant software licenses (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD), and access to enterprise systems. The focus will be on enabling efficient design and development within the security constraints.

• Opportunities for interaction with the operations team and other technical professionals will be frequent, driven by the need for close collaboration on complex projects. This environment encourages knowledge sharing and problem-solving through collective effort.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for on-site roles. However, given the mission-critical nature of the work, there may be occasional requirements for extended hours or adjusted schedules to meet project deadlines or respond to urgent operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working at or near The Pentagon signifies a highly secure and structured environment. The on-site requirement is driven by the need for direct collaboration with government partners and adherence to security protocols crucial for defense operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills, experience, and clearance level.

• Technical Interview: Likely involves a deep dive into your UX design process, methodologies, and experience with complex enterprise systems. You may be asked to present a case study from your portfolio to demonstrate your approach to problem-solving and design execution.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Questions focused on your experience working in Agile/DevSecOps environments, collaborating with cross-functional teams, handling stakeholder feedback, and your approach to Section 508 compliance and user research.

• Security/Clearance Verification: As this role requires a TS/SCI clearance, expect thorough vetting and verification processes.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with program leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit within the mission-critical program.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Mission Impact: Select case studies that demonstrate your ability to design for complex, mission-critical applications, ideally within government or defense contexts. Emphasize how your designs contributed to operational efficiency or decision-making.

• Showcase Process Rigor: Clearly articulate your UX process, from initial research and problem definition through design iterations, testing, and implementation support. Detail your methods for user research, usability testing, and how you incorporated feedback.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Include examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity designs. Showcase your proficiency with tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch. If possible, show how your designs integrate with or consider front-end technologies.

• Emphasize Accessibility & Standards: Explicitly address how you incorporated Section 508 compliance and other relevant usability standards into your designs.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio with clear project descriptions, your specific role and contributions, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, which might involve analyzing a given problem scenario related to data analytics or user workflows and proposing a UX solution. Focus on your thought process, user-centric approach, and ability to articulate your recommendations.

• Process Explanation: Be ready to explain your experience with Agile/DevSecOps methodologies and how you integrate UX into these fast-paced development cycles.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale in a clear, concise manner, anticipating questions from technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government representatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role requiring a TS/SCI clearance at a major defense contractor will be rigorous. A strong portfolio that showcases relevant experience, process, and technical skills, coupled with preparation for security vetting, is crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch (proficiency required in at least one, ideally more). These tools are essential for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting remote or in-person usability testing, user interviews, and surveys. Specific tools may vary but include platforms for session recording, feedback collection, and participant recruitment.

• Design System Management: Experience with creating, maintaining, and utilizing design systems and style guides to ensure consistency and efficiency across multiple applications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to track user behavior, engagement, and conversion rates within applications.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potential exposure to tools like Tableau, Power BI, or custom dashboards used for analyzing user data and presenting insights to stakeholders.

• Performance Monitoring: Understanding how to use analytics to monitor the performance of UX designs and identify areas for iterative improvement.

CRM & Automation:

• Agile Project Management: Tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Azure DevOps for managing development workflows, tracking tasks, and collaborating within Agile/DevSecOps teams.

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for day-to-day communication and team coordination.

• Documentation Tools: Proficiency with tools for creating and maintaining design documentation, user guides, and technical specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes standard UX design tools, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and integration within Agile/DevSecOps frameworks common in government contracting. Experience with data analytics tools is also crucial given the nature of the products supported.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A core value is dedication to the mission's success, ensuring that all design work directly contributes to national security objectives and enables effective decision-making for Department of War personnel.

• Excellence & Rigor: An expectation of high-quality work, attention to detail, and a commitment to best practices in UX design, accessibility, and usability. This includes a data-driven approach to validating design choices.

• Collaboration & Communication: Strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government clients, engineers, and program managers.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A culture that encourages creative problem-solving and the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to meet evolving mission requirements and technological advancements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX designers work hand-in-hand with developers, product managers, data scientists, and government stakeholders on a daily basis. This involves regular sync-ups, joint problem-solving sessions, and shared ownership of project outcomes.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: A culture that values constructive feedback and iterative improvement. Regular participation in Agile ceremonies (sprint reviews, retrospectives) provides structured opportunities to discuss designs, gather input, and refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, design patterns, and lessons learned across the team and program. This could manifest through design critiques, internal brown bags, or documentation contributions to the design system.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Leidos, particularly on government contracts, is likely to be professional, security-conscious, and mission-oriented. The emphasis on collaboration and communication is critical for navigating complex projects and ensuring alignment with diverse stakeholder needs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Environments: Working with multiple government stakeholders, each with potentially different priorities and perspectives, requires strong negotiation, communication, and diplomacy skills.

• Adhering to Strict Security & Compliance Standards: Ensuring all designs meet stringent security protocols and accessibility requirements (e.g., Section 508) within a classified or sensitive environment can be challenging but rewarding.

• Translating Mission Needs into User-Centric Designs: Bridging the gap between highly technical or abstract mission requirements and intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for diverse user groups.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technologies: Integrating new AI/ML capabilities and advanced analytics into user interfaces while maintaining usability and performance.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Training: Opportunities to attend advanced training, workshops, or conferences focused on UX for defense, data visualization, AI/ML interfaces, and secure system design.

• Industry Certifications: Potential to pursue certifications relevant to UX, Agile methodologies, or specific technologies supported by Leidos.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior UX professionals and technical leaders within Leidos for guidance, career advice, and skill development.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working on programs that leverage emerging technologies in data analytics, AI, and cybersecurity provides unparalleled learning experiences in a high-impact domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are typical of senior positions in defense contracting: complexity, security, and the need for continuous learning. The growth opportunities are significant, offering deep specialization and career advancement within a leading industry player.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for defining UX strategy for a large-scale enterprise application. How do you ensure it aligns with overarching business or mission objectives?" (Focus on strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and outcome definition).

• "Walk me through a complex UX challenge you faced in a previous role, ideally involving data analytics or a secure environment. How did you approach problem-solving, what was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed case study showcasing your problem-solving skills, process, and impact).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Leidos and supporting the Department of War's data and analytics initiatives?" (Research Leidos's mission, values, and specific programs; align your interests with their goals).

• "How do you see your UX expertise contributing to the success of a mission-critical program like this?" (Connect your skills and experience to the program's objectives and the impact of UX).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study presented, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the solution, and the results. Clearly articulate your role and contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. This could include improvements in task completion time, user satisfaction scores, reduction in errors, or increased adoption rates.

• Focus on Process: Explain why you made certain design decisions. Showcase your user research, testing methodologies, and how you iterated based on feedback. This demonstrates critical thinking.

• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you handled technical limitations, security requirements, or other constraints common in enterprise/government projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a robust and adaptable UX process, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of the unique demands of working within the defense sector on mission-critical systems.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to prominently feature experience with enterprise-level applications, data analytics platforms, complex workflows, and adherence to security/accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508). Select case studies that best exemplify your strategic UX approach and problem-solving skills in similar environments.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your years of experience, specific UX tools proficiency (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch), experience in Agile/DevSecOps, and any relevant security clearances (TS/SCI). Use keywords from the job description to enhance ATS compatibility.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your UX process, presenting case studies, and answering behavioral questions related to collaboration, stakeholder management, and working within secure, mission-driven environments. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the team, projects, and company culture.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Leidos, its mission in defense and technology, and the specific program context. Understand the implications of working within the Department of War and the importance of data analytics for national security.

⚠️ 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.