SME UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SME UX Designer

Company: Leidos

Location: Alexandria, VA; Gaithersburg, MD

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Operations Support

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on defining and leading user experience strategy and design standards for complex enterprise data and analytics applications, crucial for national security outcomes.

• It requires a deep understanding of human-centered design principles to enhance usability, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction within mission-critical systems.

• The position involves extensive user research, usability testing, and workflow analysis to inform and drive product design decisions, directly impacting decision-making for Department of War leaders.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including UI engineers, software developers, and product owners, is essential to implement scalable, production-ready UX solutions within Agile and DevSecOps frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "SME UX Designer," the description heavily emphasizes the operational context of supporting enterprise data and analytics programs for the Department of War. This indicates a strong need for a UX professional who can not only design interfaces but also understand and optimize complex operational workflows for data-driven decision-making and national security applications. The role is critical to the "delivery, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise data and analytics products."

📈 Primary Responsibilities

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

• Apply human-centered design (HCD) methodologies rigorously to enhance application usability, ensure comprehensive accessibility (e.g., Section 508 compliance), and elevate overall user satisfaction.

• Conduct and lead comprehensive user research initiatives, including usability testing, heuristic evaluations, and detailed workflow analysis, to generate actionable insights that drive design decisions.

• Develop and refine essential UX artifacts such as user personas, detailed customer journey maps, and intuitive interaction models to effectively guide product design and development.

• Design and oversee the creation of a range of design deliverables, from low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes to high-fidelity user interface (UI) designs.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with UI engineers, software developers, product teams, and key stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation of UX solutions that meet technical and user requirements.

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

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

• Proactively evaluate system interfaces, identify areas for improvement, and recommend enhancements based on user feedback, analytics data, and usability best practices.

• Champion and support adherence to accessibility compliance standards, such as Section 508, and promote broader usability best practices throughout the development process.

• Provide expert-level recommendations for optimizing user workflows, enhancing navigation structures, and improving overall interaction design to streamline user tasks.

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

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic and leadership-oriented UX role. The emphasis on "user experience strategy and design standards," "design systems," and participation in "SAFe ceremonies" indicates a need for someone who can influence and shape the UX direction of the program, not just execute individual design tasks. The inclusion of Section 508 compliance and collaboration within DevSecOps frameworks points to a need for operational rigor and understanding of government development environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Design, or a closely related discipline.

Experience:

• Minimum of 12–15 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 10–13 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree.

• A minimum of 8 years specifically dedicated to UX design, human-factors engineering, or a comparable field.

• Extensive experience designing user experiences for complex applications or large-scale enterprise platforms is mandatory.

• Proven track record of conducting user research, usability testing, and workflow analysis to inform design.

• Demonstrated experience working within Agile or DevSecOps development environments.

• Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional technical teams.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing customer success plans, with a focus on user adoption and satisfaction.

• Solid experience with Section 508 accessibility standards is required.

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

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills are critical for this role.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in User Experience (UX) Design principles and methodologies.

• Proficiency in Human-Centered Design (HCD) approaches.

• Experience conducting User Research and Usability Testing.

• Skilled in Wireframing and Prototyping tools.

• Strong understanding of Interaction Design and Information Architecture.

• Proficiency with Section 508 Accessibility standards.

• Experience with UX Design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

• Familiarity with Agile and DevSecOps development methodologies.

Preferred Skills:

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with SCI eligibility (required for the role, listed as preferred here for emphasis).

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

• Experience designing user experiences within multi-enclave or secure government environments.

• Familiarity with front-end technologies (e.g., React, Angular) to better inform design implementation and collaboration with developers.

• Experience developing and maintaining enterprise-level design systems.

• Familiarity with the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

• A strong portfolio demonstrating UX design work across complex systems.

• Experience in service portfolio and service catalog management.

• Knowledge of FINOPS (Financial Operations) and cost/benefit analysis for technology investments.

• Experience in designing and maintaining knowledge management systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, particularly the 8+ years specifically in UX and the overall 10-15 years. The emphasis on "complex applications or enterprise platforms" and "data platforms, analytics tools, or AI/ML systems" suggests a need for a designer accustomed to intricate, data-heavy environments. The required TS/SCI clearance is a critical qualification for this government contracting role. The preferred skills point towards a candidate who can also engage with financial aspects (FINOPS) and knowledge management, indicating a broader operational understanding is valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX design projects, with a strong emphasis on complex enterprise applications and data-driven platforms.

• Demonstrations of applying human-centered design principles and conducting thorough user research and usability testing to inform design decisions.

• Examples of creating detailed UX artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs.

• Evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (developers, product managers, stakeholders) to implement UX solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of established design systems, style guides, and UX standards, demonstrating the ability to create and maintain consistency across multiple products.

• Documentation of user research methodologies and usability testing protocols, including how findings were translated into design iterations.

• Workflow diagrams and analysis that illustrate the process of identifying user pain points and optimizing operational flows.

• Evidence of integrating UX design processes within Agile or DevSecOps development lifecycles.

• Documentation of contributions to Section 508 compliance efforts and accessibility best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, especially in a defense/government context, a robust portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just visual design and demonstrate a deep understanding of process, research, and measurable impact. The inclusion of "design systems," "Agile/DevSecOps integration," and "Section 508 compliance" are critical elements that hiring managers will look for to assess operational fit and strategic capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

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

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness programs

• Income Protection

• Paid Leave

• Retirement plans

• Other benefits may include:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
  • Disability Insurance (Short-Term and Long-Term)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek is typically 40 hours.

• Specific daily hours may vary but are generally expected to align with standard business operations, with flexibility potentially available based on project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is substantial and reflects the senior-level, specialized nature of the role, particularly given the clearance requirement and the complex domain (enterprise data/analytics for DoD). The listed benefits are standard for a large corporation like Leidos, but candidates should inquire about specific details, especially regarding retirement match, PTO accrual, and any specialized health or wellness programs relevant to government contractors. The "On-site" work arrangement implies a standard work schedule, though some flexibility might be negotiated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Information Technology / Defense

Company Size: Leidos is a large enterprise, typically employing over 40,000 individuals globally. This scale offers significant resources, stability, and opportunities for large-scale project impact.

Founded: 1969 (as Leidos, formerly Science Applications International Corporation - SAIC)

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Leidos Digital Modernization sector, supporting a Department of War enterprise data and analytics program.

• The UX Designer will be part of a multidisciplinary team, likely including program managers, project leads, data scientists, engineers (software, data, UI), business analysts, and government stakeholders.

• Reporting structure will likely be to a UX Lead, Program Manager, or a Digital Modernization Sector lead, with close collaboration across various functional teams.

Methodology:

• The program operates using Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles, involving participation in PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.

• Emphasis on DevSecOps practices ensures security and operational readiness are integrated throughout the development lifecycle.

• A strong focus on human-centered design (HCD) and user research guides the development of user-friendly and effective data and analytics products.

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, utilizing analytics and user feedback to continuously improve capabilities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Leidos is a major player in the government contracting space, known for tackling complex, mission-critical challenges. The culture often emphasizes a strong sense of purpose and dedication to national security missions. For a UX designer, this means working within a structured, often bureaucratic environment that prioritizes security, compliance, and mission impact. The "outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo" slogan suggests a drive for innovation within these constraints.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Subject Matter Expert (SME) UX Designer. This indicates a senior-level position requiring deep expertise, leadership, and the ability to influence strategy. The role is not merely executing tasks but shaping the direction of UX for critical enterprise systems.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Program Manager or a UX/Design Lead within the Digital Modernization sector. Will work closely with product owners, engineering teams, and government client leads, requiring strong matrixed communication and collaboration skills.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on operational effectiveness by improving how Department of War leaders access and utilize data and analytics. Enhanced user experience directly translates to better-informed, faster decision-making, which is critical for national security outcomes. The designer influences the adoption and efficacy of mission-critical tools.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX for data analytics, AI/ML, or secure government environments.

• Leadership: Transition into a UX Lead or Manager role, overseeing teams and strategy for larger programs.

• Cross-functional Development: Gain exposure to program management, systems engineering, or data science principles through project involvement.

• Industry Certifications: Pursue advanced certifications in UX, Agile/SAFe, or specific domain areas relevant to defense and data analytics.

• Broader Program Involvement: Potentially move to other high-visibility programs within Leidos's Digital Modernization sector or other business areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The SME designation is key here, signaling a role that goes beyond execution. Growth likely involves increasing scope of responsibility, mentorship, and strategic influence rather than just climbing a ladder. The government contracting environment often offers unique paths through different agencies or types of classified programs.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This is common for roles requiring access to classified information and close collaboration within secure facilities.

Office Location(s): Alexandria, VA, and Gaithersburg, MD. These locations are within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, a hub for government contracting and defense agencies.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a professional, potentially secure office environment typical of government contractors.

• Collaboration is likely to occur in team spaces, meeting rooms, and through digital collaboration tools.

• Access to necessary technology, software licenses (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD), and potentially secure computing environments will be provided.

• Interaction with operations teams will be frequent, involving discussions about data flows, user workflows, and system functionalities.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM), Monday through Friday, are expected for an on-site role. While core hours may exist, flexibility might be possible depending on project deadlines and team coordination, but significant remote work is unlikely given the on-site requirement and potential clearance needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is critical for roles involving Top Secret/SCI clearances, as it often necessitates working within secure facilities (SCIFs) where remote work is not permitted. The environment will likely be structured and compliance-focused.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and clearance status.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, technical skills (UX/UI, tools), and understanding of human-centered design principles. Expect behavioral questions related to past projects and problem-solving.

• Technical/Team Interview: May involve a panel of UX designers, engineers, or product managers. This could include a portfolio review session and potentially a design exercise or case study discussion.

• Stakeholder Interview: Discussion with key program stakeholders or government leads to assess fit, communication style, and understanding of mission requirements.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to confirm overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best demonstrate experience with complex enterprise systems, data visualization, analytics platforms, or government/defense applications if possible. Highlight projects involving significant user research and impact.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the tools used, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you applied human-centered design principles. Showcase wireframes, prototypes, user flows, and research findings.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "improved user satisfaction scores by Y%", "increased data adoption by Z%").

• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to articulate your design decisions, rationale, and how you collaborated with technical and non-technical teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study: Be prepared to discuss a past project in detail as a case study, or potentially work through a hypothetical design challenge related to data analytics or complex workflow optimization.

• Technical Skills: Review core UX principles, interaction design patterns, common usability heuristics, and accessibility standards (Section 508). Be ready to discuss your proficiency with design tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

• Agile/DevSecOps: Understand how UX integrates into these methodologies. Be prepared to discuss how you handle iterative feedback, work with development sprints, and ensure design quality within fast-paced environments.

• Government Context: Research Leidos and its role in defense contracting. Consider how security, compliance, and mission impact shape design decisions in this sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "SME" title and the government context, expect the interview process to be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on both technical UX skills and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and operational requirements. The portfolio review will be a critical component, needing to showcase strategic thinking and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting interviews, surveys, and usability tests (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence (essential for Agile/SAFe environments).

• Design Systems: Experience with or ability to build and maintain enterprise-level design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for UX, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or automation platforms might interface with the user experience can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools. Experience with collaboration tools like Jira and Confluence is critical for working within Agile/DevSecOps frameworks. Familiarity with analytics tools is important for a data-driven approach, and knowledge of design systems underscores the need for scalability and consistency in an enterprise environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the national security mission of the Department of War, understanding that user experience directly impacts operational effectiveness.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality design solutions while embracing innovation within the constraints of a secure, government environment.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams of engineers, analysts, and government partners to achieve common goals.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and data security, especially given the sensitive nature of the work.

• User Advocacy: Championing the needs of the end-user to ensure products are intuitive, efficient, and meet operational requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with development, product management, and stakeholder teams to ensure UX is embedded throughout the product lifecycle.

• Data-Informed Dialogue: Using research findings, analytics, and user feedback as the basis for design discussions and decisions.

• Constructive Feedback: Openness to giving and receiving feedback within team meetings, design reviews, and retrospectives.

• Agile Cadence: Adapting to the iterative nature of Agile development, participating actively in ceremonies and providing timely design support.

📝 Enhancement Note: Leidos's culture, particularly in defense-related sectors, often emphasizes a strong sense of duty, technical rigor, and adherence to processes. For a UX designer, this translates to balancing user advocacy with the realities of security, compliance, and complex system integration. The "outpace the status quo" slogan suggests an encouragement of forward-thinking and problem-solving within these parameters.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Environments: Balancing requirements and expectations from multiple government agencies and internal teams.

• Designing for Security & Compliance: Adhering to strict security protocols (e.g., SCIF environments) and compliance standards (e.g., Section 508) while creating user-friendly experiences.

• Integrating UX in DevSecOps/Agile: Ensuring UX processes keep pace with rapid development cycles and are fully embedded within the workflow.

• Translating Complex Data/Analytics: Designing intuitive interfaces for sophisticated data and AI/ML systems that may be abstract or highly technical.

• Driving Adoption of New Designs: Overcoming user resistance to change, especially within established operational workflows.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Domain Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of defense operations, data analytics strategies, and AI/ML applications within a national security context.

• Advanced UX Specialization: Developing expertise in areas like data visualization UX, AI ethics in design, or secure system UX.

• Leadership Skills: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead UX initiatives, and potentially manage UX teams.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies prevalent in government contracting and defense sectors.

• Professional Development: Access to internal training, external conferences, and potential support for certifications relevant to UX, Agile, or government IT.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for high-level UX roles in government contracting: complexity, security, and integrating modern design practices into established, often rigid, frameworks. The growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to build deep domain expertise and leadership experience in a mission-critical field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting stakeholder requirements for a complex enterprise system. How did you navigate this and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and user advocacy).

• "Walk us through your process for designing a user experience for a data analytics dashboard. What research methods did you use, and how did you ensure the data was presented clearly and actionably?" (Demonstrate HCD, research skills, and data visualization understanding).

• "How do you ensure your UX designs comply with Section 508 accessibility standards? Provide an example of a specific accessibility challenge you addressed." (Highlight specific knowledge and practical application of compliance).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Leidos and its mission in the defense sector?" (Research Leidos's work, values, and recent projects).

• "How do you think your UX expertise can contribute to national security outcomes through improved data and analytics platforms?" (Connect your skills directly to the company's core mission).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 Key Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your ability to handle complexity, data, and enterprise-level challenges.

• Tell a Story: Structure each project as a narrative: the problem, your approach, your role, the challenges, the solutions, and the impact (quantify whenever possible).

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design decisions, backing them up with research, user feedback, or design principles.

• Showcase Deliverables: Present a range of artifacts – user flows, wireframes, prototypes, final UI, and any research summaries.

• Address Technical Integration: Be ready to discuss how your designs translate to implementation, especially if you have experience with front-end technologies or design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your experience with specific reference to government contracting, security clearances, and large-scale enterprise systems. The interview will likely assess not just design skills but also your ability to operate effectively within a structured, mission-driven environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

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

• Portfolio Tailoring: Ensure your resume and portfolio highlight experience with complex enterprise applications, data analytics platforms, human-centered design, user research, and compliance standards like Section 508. Customise your portfolio to emphasize projects relevant to government or defense sectors if applicable.

• Resume Optimization: Incorporate keywords from the job description such as "SME UX Designer," "enterprise data and analytics," "human-centered design," "Agile," "DevSecOps," "Section 508," and specific design tools (Figma, Adobe XD). Clearly state your active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience through STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses, focusing on projects that demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving, and measurable impact in complex environments. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with clarity and confidence.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Leidos, its mission, and its role in national security and digital modernization. Understand their values and the context of working within the Department of War.

⚠️ 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.