SME UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SME UX Designer

Company: Leidos

Location: Alexandria, VA, United States / Gaithersburg, MD, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of User Experience (UX) design for complex enterprise data and analytics platforms, ensuring alignment with mission-critical objectives within the Department of Defense (DoD).

• Champion human-centered design principles and methodologies to enhance usability, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction across a suite of advanced analytics and AI-driven products.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, usability testing, and detailed workflow analyses to inform and validate design decisions, driving iterative product improvements.

• Develop and maintain enterprise-wide design systems, style guides, and UX standards to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency in product development and deployment.

• Integrate UX design seamlessly into Agile and DevSecOps development lifecycles, actively participating in SAFe ceremonies and cross-functional team collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, titled "SME UX Designer," strongly indicates a Senior or Subject Matter Expert level position. The emphasis on "enterprise data and analytics program," "Department of War," and "DoD organizations" signifies a focus on large-scale, mission-critical government projects, requiring a deep understanding of complex systems and stringent security protocols. The inclusion of "AI technologies" and "data platforms" suggests a modern, forward-thinking product environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and spearhead the user experience strategy, design standards, and best practices for a portfolio of applications and services within the Department of War enterprise data and analytics program.

• Apply robust human-centered design principles throughout the product lifecycle to significantly improve usability, accessibility (including Section 508 compliance), and overall user satisfaction for diverse DoD stakeholders.

• Lead and execute comprehensive user research initiatives, including usability testing, contextual inquiries, and detailed workflow analysis, to generate actionable insights that drive informed design decisions and product enhancements.

• Develop critical design artifacts such as user personas, detailed journey maps, and interaction models to effectively guide product vision, design execution, and cross-functional team understanding.

• Design, oversee the creation of, and validate wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI/UX designs that clearly articulate user flows and interface elements.

• Foster close collaboration with UI engineers, software developers, product managers, government partners, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation of UX solutions that align with technical constraints and strategic goals.

• Ensure the consistent integration of UX design principles and practices within Agile and DevSecOps development processes, actively contributing to sprint planning, backlog refinement, and iterative development cycles.

• Establish, maintain, and evolve enterprise-level design systems, comprehensive style guides, and rigorous UX standards to promote consistency, efficiency, and scalability across all product offerings.

• Proactively evaluate system interfaces and user interaction patterns, providing expert recommendations for improvements based on user feedback, analytics data, and industry best practices.

• Support the development of accessible training materials and comprehensive user guidance documentation to facilitate effective adoption and proficiency with the delivered capabilities.

• Provide expert-level recommendations to optimize user workflows, streamline navigation, and enhance overall interaction design for complex enterprise systems.

• Actively participate in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) ceremonies, including Program Increment (PI) Planning, backlog refinement sessions, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, contributing UX insights to strategic planning and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership (defining strategy and standards) and hands-on execution (research, prototyping, design). The explicit mention of "Agile and DevSecOps" and "SAFe ceremonies" indicates a need for candidates familiar with modern software development methodologies, particularly in a government contracting context where these are increasingly standard. The emphasis on Section 508 compliance is a critical requirement for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• A minimum of 12–15 years of relevant experience is required for a Bachelor's degree holder, or 10–13 years for a Master's degree holder.

• This includes a minimum of 8 years specifically in UX design, human-factors engineering, or a closely related field.

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

• Proven experience conducting user research, usability testing methodologies, and workflow analysis to inform design.

• Demonstrated experience working within Agile or DevSecOps development environments.

• Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional technical teams, including engineers, product managers, and stakeholders.

• Experience in developing and implementing customer success plans, focusing on user adoption and satisfaction.

• Proven success in supporting and ensuring compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards.

• A strong understanding of core UX principles, including interaction design, information architecture, and usability heuristics.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability in stakeholder engagement and presentation.

Required Skills:

• Subject Matter Expertise in UX Design Strategy and Standards Development

• Proficient in conducting User Research (e.g., interviews, surveys, ethnography)

• Expertise in Usability Testing and Analysis (e.g., moderated, unmoderated, heuristic evaluation)

• Advanced Wireframing and Prototyping skills

• Proficiency with leading UX Design Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar industry-standard software.

• Deep understanding and practical application of Section 508 Accessibility Standards

• Strong grasp of Information Architecture and Interaction Design principles

• Experience working within Agile and DevSecOps Development Frameworks

Preferred Skills:

• Active TS/SCI clearance.

• Experience supporting UX design for Data Platforms, Analytics Tools, or AI/ML Systems.

• Experience designing for multi-enclave or secure government environments.

• Familiarity with front-end development technologies (e.g., React, Angular) to inform design feasibility.

• Experience developing and maintaining enterprise-level Design Systems.

• Familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environments.

• Portfolio demonstrating a strong track record of UX design work across complex systems.

• Experience in service portfolio and service catalog management.

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

• Experience in designing and maintaining knowledge management systems.

• Experience with AI/ML tools and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are substantial, reflecting a senior/SME role. The "12-15 years" or "10-13 years" with a Bachelor's or Master's respectively, coupled with "8 years of experience in UX design," emphasizes a need for deep, specialized expertise. The clearance requirement (Secret with SCI eligibility) is critical and should be a primary filter for candidates. Preferred qualifications, especially TS/SCI clearance and experience with data/AI platforms, significantly enhance a candidate's profile.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 8 years of impactful UX design work, with a strong emphasis on complex enterprise platforms, data analytics solutions, or mission-critical systems.

• Demonstrations of applying human-centered design principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing throughout the design process.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes or impact of your UX solutions.

• Examples of wireframes, prototypes, high-fidelity mockups, and user flow diagrams for complex applications.

• Evidence of experience in defining and implementing UX design standards, style guides, or contributing to design systems.

• Documentation or examples illustrating your approach to Section 508 accessibility compliance within your designs.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have conducted and documented user research, including methodologies used, participant recruitment, and synthesis of findings.

• Case studies detailing your approach to usability testing, including test plans, execution, analysis of results, and subsequent design iterations.

• Documentation illustrating your experience in developing user personas, journey maps, and other tools to represent user needs and workflows.

• Examples of your contributions to establishing or maintaining design systems, style guides, or component libraries.

• Evidence of workflow analysis and optimization efforts, demonstrating how UX improvements impacted efficiency or user task completion.

• Documentation of collaboration processes with engineering, product management, and stakeholder teams to ensure successful design implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a SME UX Designer role, particularly in a government context, a portfolio is non-negotiable. It must demonstrate not just design skills, but the ability to strategize, lead, and deliver complex UX solutions within demanding environments. The emphasis should be on impact, process rigor, and the ability to articulate complex design decisions clearly. The inclusion of Section 508 and Agile/DevSecOps experience in portfolio examples is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health and Wellness Programs: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, potentially including wellness initiatives and employee assistance programs.

• Income Protection: Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage.

• Paid Leave: Generous paid time off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays, potentially with additional paid leave for professional development.

• Retirement: A competitive 401(k) retirement savings plan, likely with a company match.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, and conference attendance, particularly relevant for maintaining expertise in UX and emerging technologies.

• Security Clearance Support: Potential for support or stipends related to maintaining active security clearances.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, there may be some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and project needs, and approval. Overtime may be required during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is substantial and reflects the senior nature of the role, the required expertise, and the demanding environment (government, security clearance). The listed benefits are standard for large, established companies like Leidos and are crucial for attracting and retaining senior talent. The "On-site" work arrangement implies a commitment to being present at one of the listed company locations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government Contracting, Defense Technology. Leidos operates at the forefront of technology integration and support for government and commercial sectors, with a significant focus on defense and intelligence applications.

Company Size: Leidos is a large enterprise, employing over 47,000 people globally. This size offers extensive resources, diverse career paths, and a structured corporate environment.

Founded: Leidos was founded in 1969, giving it a long history and deep experience in complex, long-term government programs. This longevity suggests stability, established processes, and a strong understanding of the federal contracting landscape.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely part of a larger Digital Modernization sector or a specific program division focused on enterprise data and analytics.

• This role reports into a UX Lead, Design Director, or Program Management, with close collaboration expected with Product Managers, Software Engineers, Data Scientists, and government stakeholders.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central, utilizing user research, analytics, and feedback to inform UX strategy and design.

• Agile and DevSecOps methodologies are integrated into the development lifecycle, emphasizing iterative development, continuous integration, and rapid deployment.

• A strong focus on mission impact and delivering tangible outcomes for national security objectives, requiring rigorous adherence to process and quality standards.

• Emphasis on security best practices, including compliance with Section 508 and potentially secure development environments for classified systems.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Leidos's positioning as a major government contractor means that the culture is likely structured, process-oriented, and heavily focused on mission delivery and security. The "outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo" tagline suggests an expectation of proactive problem-solving and innovation, even within a structured environment. The size of the company implies significant resources for professional development and a wide range of potential career trajectories.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "SME UX Designer" role signifies a Subject Matter Expert or Principal level position. It implies a high degree of autonomy, strategic influence, and responsibility for leading complex design initiatives. The candidate is expected to be a go-to expert in UX for the program, capable of mentoring others and setting design direction.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Director of UX, a Program Manager, or a Senior Technical Lead within the Digital Modernization sector or the specific program. The individual will work closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, engineers, data scientists, and government stakeholders, requiring strong collaboration and influence skills.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts the effectiveness, efficiency, and adoption of mission-critical data and analytics capabilities for Department of War leaders. By improving usability and user satisfaction, the role contributes to better-informed decision-making, faster operational responses, and ultimately, enhanced national security outcomes. This is a high-visibility role where the impact of well-executed UX is directly tied to program success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into a UX Lead, Design Manager, or Director role, overseeing larger teams and broader design strategies for multiple programs.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI/ML UX, data visualization UX, secure system design, or advanced user research methodologies.

• Cross-Program Mobility: Opportunities to apply UX expertise to other high-impact programs within Leidos's diverse portfolio, including other defense, intelligence, or civil government initiatives.

• Professional Development: Access to internal training, external conferences, certifications, and mentorship programs to stay current with UX trends, tools, and technologies.

• Domain Expertise: Develop profound knowledge of defense data analytics, AI, and national security missions, becoming a highly sought-after expert in this specialized domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "SME" title is a key indicator of career progression. Growth opportunities will likely involve increasing strategic influence, team leadership, or specialization in high-demand areas like AI/ML UX within the defense sector. The role offers a path to becoming a recognized expert in a critical and complex domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, typical for positions requiring access to secure facilities and direct collaboration within a government program environment. Leidos often operates within government facilities or secure Leidos-owned sites.

Office Location(s): The primary locations are Alexandria, VA, and Gaithersburg, MD. These areas are hubs for government contracting and defense-related work, offering proximity to federal agencies and a strong professional network.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and government clients.

• Access to modern UX design tools, software, and potentially specialized hardware or secure computing environments will be provided.

• The environment will likely be professional and mission-focused, with an emphasis on productivity, security, and adherence to program protocols.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the possibility of some flexibility in daily hours subject to team coordination and program needs. Due to the mission-critical nature of the work, occasional overtime or extended hours may be necessary to meet project deadlines or critical program events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is crucial for this role, likely due to security protocols and the need for close, in-person collaboration with government stakeholders and technical teams. The locations are strategic for defense contracting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct a preliminary call to assess basic qualifications, clearance status, and salary expectations.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager focusing on your experience, approach to UX strategy, leadership capabilities, and fit with the team and program.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into your portfolio. Expect to present 2-3 key projects, explaining your role, process, challenges, and outcomes. This will likely involve technical questions related to UX methodologies, tools, accessibility, and Agile/DevSecOps integration.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Interviews with potential peers, engineers, product managers, or government stakeholders to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate into the existing team dynamics.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or program executive to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your SME-level experience with complex enterprise systems, data analytics, or defense-related applications. Prioritize projects where you had significant strategic influence.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and responsibilities, the design process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key challenges you overcame, your design solutions, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your methodology, especially how you integrated user research, designed for accessibility (Section 508), and collaborated within Agile/DevSecOps environments.

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

• Be Prepared for Depth: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you handled stakeholder feedback or conflicting requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a hypothetical problem or a simplified version of a real-world challenge to solve within a given timeframe. Focus on your process, critical thinking, and ability to articulate your solution clearly.

• Accessibility Focus: Be ready to discuss how you would ensure accessibility for users with disabilities within a given design scenario.

• Agile Integration: Prepare to explain how you would integrate UX activities into a typical sprint cycle or PI Planning event.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in for UX recommendations from technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will be rigorous, emphasizing not just design skill but strategic thinking, process adherence, and the ability to operate within a secure, government-focused environment. The portfolio review is paramount and should be tailored to showcase relevant experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly probable given industry trends), Adobe XD, Sketch. Proficiency in at least one is essential.

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

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence (especially within Agile/DevSecOps environments).

• Design System Tools: Familiarity with tools or frameworks used for building and maintaining design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight, or custom solutions).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Pendo for in-depth user behavior analysis within applications.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar if the role involves designing dashboards or presenting data insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for a UX Designer, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools might interact with user-facing applications can be beneficial for context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern UX design tools like Figma is highly expected. Given the context of enterprise data and analytics, familiarity with data visualization and potentially AI/ML platforms will be advantageous. Experience with collaboration tools common in Agile/DevSecOps environments like Jira and Confluence is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission First: A strong commitment to achieving the program's national security objectives, prioritizing impact and reliability.

• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality design solutions and continuously seeking innovative approaches to solve complex user challenges, even within structured environments.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment of mutual respect and shared responsibility, working effectively across diverse technical and functional teams.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest ethical standards and strictly adhering to security protocols and data handling requirements.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing feedback, learning from challenges, and actively seeking ways to optimize processes and designs for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in team meetings, design reviews, and development sprints to ensure seamless integration of UX into the broader product development lifecycle.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and constructive feedback exchange with peers, developers, product managers, and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share expertise, best practices, and insights on UX design, user research, and accessibility with the team.

• Problem-Solving Focus: Collaborating proactively to identify and resolve design and usability issues, focusing on practical, mission-aligned solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Leidos, especially within defense programs, will likely emphasize professionalism, security, and a results-oriented approach. Values will align with mission success, technical rigor, and collaborative problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Environments: Balancing the needs and priorities of multiple government stakeholders, technical teams, and end-users with potentially competing requirements.

• Designing for Security and Compliance: Ensuring that user experience designs meet stringent security protocols, classified environment requirements, and Section 508 accessibility standards without compromising usability.

• Integrating UX into Fast-Paced Development Cycles: Effectively embedding UX activities and insights into Agile/DevSecOps workflows, which can sometimes be challenging for traditional UX processes.

• Translating Complex Data/Analytics into Intuitive Interfaces: Simplifying highly technical data, analytics, and AI concepts into user-friendly and actionable interfaces for a diverse user base.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with rapidly advancing technologies in data analytics, AI/ML, and UX design, and applying them effectively within a government context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to advanced training in UX research methodologies, data visualization design, AI/ML UX, and specific government security compliance standards.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend leading UX conferences and pursue relevant certifications to enhance skills and industry knowledge.

• Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs, both as a mentee to learn from senior leaders and as a mentor to guide junior designers.

• Internal Knowledge Sharing: Engaging in Leidos's internal communities of practice for UX, Digital Modernization, and cybersecurity to share knowledge and learn from peers across the organization.

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working directly with advanced data, analytics, and AI technologies, providing hands-on experience with the future of national security capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to large-scale government projects involving complex technology and security. Growth opportunities are substantial, particularly for those looking to specialize in high-demand areas within the defense sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing requirements from multiple stakeholders on a complex enterprise project. How did you manage expectations and arrive at a design solution?" (Focus on negotiation, prioritization, and communication.)

• "How do you approach designing for Section 508 compliance from the outset of a project? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight proactive accessibility integration.)

• "Walk us through your process for conducting user research and usability testing for a complex data analytics platform. What key insights did you uncover, and how did they influence your design?" (Emphasize methodology and impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Leidos and this specific program supporting the Department of War?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent projects.)

• "How do you see your SME-level UX expertise contributing to the success of this enterprise data and analytics program?" (Connect your skills to the program's goals.)

• "Describe your experience working within a government contracting environment or with federal agency clients." (Showcase understanding of the unique demands.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the user, your process (research, ideation, iterations, testing), your specific contributions, the final solution, and the measured outcomes.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If exact metrics aren't available, articulate the qualitative impact on user efficiency, satisfaction, or mission effectiveness.

• Showcase Process: Don't just show finished screens. Explain why you made certain design decisions, what research informed them, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Highlight SME Capabilities: Emphasize your strategic thinking, leadership in design direction, ability to mentor, and experience with complex, mission-critical systems.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about technical feasibility, security considerations, and how your designs align with broader program objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, process rigor, and the ability to deliver impactful UX within a high-security, government-focused context. Quantifiable results and clear articulation of process are critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this SME UX Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application through the Leidos Workday portal. Ensure all fields are accurately filled out, paying close attention to experience details and clearance status.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight the 10+ years of relevant experience, specific UX design skills, experience with complex enterprise systems, Section 508 compliance, and familiarity with Agile/DevSecOps. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-4 of your most relevant projects that demonstrate your expertise in enterprise UX, data analytics, or defense-related applications. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your specific contributions, and the measurable impact. Be ready to present this virtually or in person.

• Research Leidos & the Program: Understand Leidos's mission, values, and its role in government contracting, particularly in defense and analytics. Familiarize yourself with the program's objectives as described in the job posting to articulate your interest and fit.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and technical interview questions, focusing on your experience with complex systems, user research, accessibility, and Agile methodologies. Rehearse your portfolio presentation and be ready to articulate your strategic approach to UX design.

⚠️ 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.