UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Second Front Systems

Location: Washington, DC (Remote Eligible)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the end-to-end user experience design for complex web applications and SaaS products, with a focus on defense technology and classified operations.

• Translate intricate mission requirements and government compliance standards into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and workflows.

• Conduct rigorous user research with warfighters and mission operators to validate design decisions and ensure system usability under operational stress.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and AI-assisted Engineering teams to develop functional prototypes and high-fidelity designs.

• Champion user-centered design principles and maintain a scalable design system to ensure consistency and accessibility across the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for a company operating at the intersection of defense technology and software usability. The emphasis on designing for "classified defense operations" and "contested environments" implies a need for designers who can handle high-stakes, secure, and potentially high-stress user scenarios. The mention of "AI tools" like Claude Design and Claude Code suggests a modern, forward-thinking approach to design and development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process from prompt-to-prototype, leveraging AI tools like Claude Design and Claude Code to rapidly translate user needs and technical requirements into interactive prototypes and high-fidelity interfaces.

• Partner with product leadership, engineering, and domain experts to define and iterate on the user experience for critical workflows, including deployment, configuration, and accreditation processes.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, usability testing, and surveys, with commercial software providers and end-user communities to gather insights and inform design decisions.

• Ensure that user interfaces meet stringent security constraints and government accreditation standards (e.g., ATO, FedRAMP, NIST 800-53) without compromising usability or operational effectiveness.

• Own and scale the design system, ensuring visual quality, accessibility, and interaction consistency across all product iterations and touchpoints.

• Act as the primary advocate for operator needs within product development, translating complex compliance and technical requirements into clear, navigable user journeys.

• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the entire product lifecycle, balancing user needs with technical feasibility and development speed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role requiring the ability to not only design but also to research, validate, and maintain design assets. The integration of AI tools is a significant aspect, suggesting a need for adaptability and proficiency in leveraging new technologies for design. The focus on defense and government compliance indicates a specialized domain requiring a nuanced understanding of user needs under specific operational constraints.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in HCI, Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UX Designer, or UI Designer, specifically for complex web applications or SaaS products.

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency with AI-assisted design tools, specifically Claude Design and Claude Code, for prompt-to-prototype workflows.

• Expertise in Figma for creating high-fidelity interfaces, interactive prototypes, and managing design systems.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research methodologies (interviews, usability testing, surveys) and translate findings into actionable design improvements.

• Strong understanding of information architecture, interaction design, visual hierarchy, and core user-centered design principles.

• Experience working in fast-paced, collaborative agile development environments, with a focus on synchronous collaboration with AI-assisted engineering teams.

• Ability to translate complex technical and compliance requirements into intuitive and accessible user journeys.

• U.S. citizenship is a mandatory requirement due to government contract obligations. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with government compliance frameworks such as Authorization to Operate (ATO), FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53.

• Experience designing for government or defense sector clients, understanding unique operational constraints and security protocols.

• Experience in maintaining and scaling a design system for complex applications.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for web applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Claude Design" and "Claude Code" is highly specific and points to an employer that is actively integrating AI into its design and development workflows. Candidates should be prepared to showcase projects where they've utilized similar AI-driven design tools or demonstrated a strong aptitude for learning and applying them. The U.S. citizenship requirement is a critical qualifier for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a robust design process, detailing problem identification, research methodologies, ideation, prototyping, and iteration for complex web applications or SaaS products.

• Include real-world examples demonstrating your ability to simplify complex technical workflows into user-friendly applications, highlighting the impact of your design solutions.

• Present case studies that clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design decisions made, and the measurable outcomes or improvements achieved.

• Demonstrate experience with design systems, including examples of how you've contributed to or maintained them for consistency and scalability.

• Include examples of user research conducted, showcasing how feedback was integrated into design iterations. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of prompt-to-prototype workflows, particularly those leveraging AI design tools.

• Documentation of user research findings and how they informed design strategy.

• Examples of design system components and their application across different product features.

• Case studies that detail the end-to-end design journey for a specific feature or product, emphasizing problem-solving and user impact.

• Demonstrations of collaboration with engineering and product teams, illustrating your role in agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role with a company focused on defense technology and AI integration, the portfolio should strongly emphasize problem-solving, user research validation, and the practical application of design tools (especially Figma and AI-assisted tools). The ability to translate complex requirements into user-friendly solutions, especially within regulated environments, is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential eligibility for equity awards and discretionary bonuses.

• Comprehensive health coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.

• Retirement savings: 401(k) with a 3% company contribution.

• Wellness support: Comprehensive wellness benefits, including a One Medical membership, mental health resources, and family planning support.

• Professional development: New hire technology and home office stipend, plus an annual professional development stipend.

• Work-life balance: Flexible paid time off, generous parental leave, and flexible remote work opportunities.

• Additional perks: Employee referral bonus program.

Working Hours: Standard full-time role, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility due to the remote nature of the position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided, and the note about "regional cost factors" indicates that the final offer might vary based on the candidate's location within the approved hiring hubs. The benefits package is extensive, highlighting a strong commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is attractive to experienced professionals. The mention of "equity incentive plan" is significant for candidates seeking long-term growth opportunities within a growing company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software, Defense Technology, National Security, Public Benefit Corporation.

Company Size: Based on LinkedIn data and typical Ashby listings, likely a growing mid-sized company (50-200 employees), indicating a dynamic and evolving environment.

Founded: Second Front Systems was founded by national security veterans, suggesting a mission-driven culture with a deep understanding of the defense sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be a key partner to product leadership, engineering, and end-user communities, serving as the primary voice of operator needs within product decisions.

• The role implies close collaboration with Product Managers and AI-assisted Engineering teams, suggesting a cross-functional, agile team structure.

• As a Public Benefit Corporation, the company likely fosters a culture focused on mission impact alongside profitability. Methodology:

• Emphasis on rapid feedback loops and prompt-to-prototype workflows using AI tools.

• Agile development methodologies are implied, with a focus on iterative design and continuous improvement.

• User-centered design principles are central, with a strong commitment to research and validation.

• A bias toward action and tangible, measurable results is encouraged.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Second Front Systems positions itself as a mission-driven Public Benefit Corporation focused on modernizing defense technology. This suggests a culture that values impact, innovation, and solving complex national security challenges. The "team of purpose-driven trailblazers" description indicates a passionate and dedicated workforce.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Designer (2-5 years of experience), responsible for owning significant design areas and contributing to strategic product decisions. It offers the opportunity to impact core product functionality and user adoption within a critical sector.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will partner closely with product leadership and engineering, likely reporting into a Head of Product, Design Lead, or similar role. This structure suggests direct influence and visibility within the product organization.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's work directly impacts warfighter effectiveness and mission success by ensuring that complex defense systems are intuitive and reliable under operational stress. This role has a tangible impact on national security outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design tools (Claude Design/Code), defense technology UX, and government compliance design workflows.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to Senior UX Designer or Lead UX Designer roles, managing larger design initiatives or mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain deeper understanding of product management, engineering processes, and defense sector requirements, potentially leading to product strategy roles.

• Professional Development: Utilize the annual professional development stipend for courses, conferences, or certifications relevant to UX, AI, or defense technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique path for UX designers looking to apply their skills in a high-impact, mission-critical sector. The emphasis on AI tools and defense technology provides opportunities for specialized growth that can be highly valuable in the evolving tech landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. The company explicitly supports flexible remote work opportunities.

Office Location(s): While remote, candidates must reside in one of the approved hiring hubs:

• DC/Maryland/Virginia

• Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC

• Denver/Colorado Springs, CO

• Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Workspace Context:

• Remote work environment enabling flexibility and autonomy.

• Access to new hire technology and home office stipend to set up an effective workspace.

• Collaboration primarily occurs through digital tools, requiring strong communication and remote collaboration skills.

• The company culture encourages a bias toward action and tangible results, suggesting a productive and focused remote work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Full-time with flexible remote work arrangements, allowing for a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature, combined with specific hiring hub requirements, suggests a desire to maintain some level of regional cohesion or compliance for government contracts, while still offering significant flexibility to employees. Candidates should be comfortable working autonomously and communicating effectively in a distributed team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio, focusing on relevant experience, AI tool proficiency, and design process.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your background, motivations for applying to Second Front Systems, and initial assessment of cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Design Challenge: A deep dive into your portfolio, where you'll present case studies and potentially tackle a design exercise simulating real-world problems faced by the company. Expect to discuss your process, decision-making, and how you'd approach challenges related to defense operations.

• Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, or other team members to assess collaboration style and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Tool Usage: Explicitly showcase projects where you've used Claude Design, Claude Code, or similar AI-assisted tools. Detail your prompts, how you iterated, and the benefits achieved.

• Focus on Problem-Solving: Emphasize complex problems you've solved, particularly those involving technical constraints, compliance, or high-stakes user scenarios.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced errors, increased adoption).

• Showcase Process: Clearly outline your design process for each case study, from research to final implementation.

• Tailor to Defense: If you have any experience or understanding related to defense, security, or government contracts, highlight it. Even if not direct experience, draw parallels to complex, regulated industries.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Research Second Front Systems, its mission, and the challenges of designing software for defense operations.

• Practice AI Prompts: Familiarize yourself with prompt engineering for design tools.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, focusing on challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Anticipate Compliance Questions: Think about how you would approach design challenges that involve strict security protocols and accreditation requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to integrate AI tools into their workflow and their understanding of the unique design challenges in the defense sector. A strong, well-documented portfolio that showcases these specific skills will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for high-fidelity design, prototyping, and design system management.

• Claude Design & Claude Code: Key AI-assisted tools for rapid prototyping and design generation. Candidates are expected to be proficient or quickly learn these.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for UX, understanding how to interpret user analytics (e.g., from product analytics tools like Amplitude, Pendo) would be beneficial for data-driven design decisions.

• Tools for usability testing and user feedback collection. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UX role's primary tools, but understanding the broader product ecosystem is helpful.

• Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) are standard in agile environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a standard requirement for UX designers. The specific inclusion of "Claude Design" and "Claude Code" signals a significant technological focus for this role and the company. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their experience or aptitude with these AI-driven design platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Oriented: A strong focus on contributing to national security and strengthening global security.

• Proactive & Solutions-Oriented: Encouraging a mindset that views obstacles as opportunities and actively seeks solutions.

• Bias Toward Action & Results: Valuing tangible, measurable outcomes and a proactive approach to work.

• Team-Oriented with Autonomy: Fostering collaboration while empowering individuals with responsibility and independence.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies like AI to drive faster, more secure software development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnership with Product Management and Engineering teams, including AI-assisted engineers.

• User-Centric Dialogue: Continuous engagement with end-user communities (warfighters, mission operators) to gather feedback and validate designs.

• Agile & Iterative: Working within agile frameworks means a collaborative and iterative approach to design and development.

• Open Communication: Expected in a remote, fast-paced environment, particularly when working with advanced technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be a blend of mission-driven purpose, agile execution, and a forward-thinking embrace of technology. The emphasis on "purpose-driven trailblazers" and "solving hard problems" suggests a team that is passionate, dedicated, and seeks to make a significant impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for classified environments requires navigating unique security protocols and user needs under high-stress conditions.

• Translating complex government compliance and accreditation workflows into intuitive user experiences can be technically and conceptually demanding.

• Rapidly evolving AI design tools require continuous learning and adaptation to maintain cutting-edge skills.

• Balancing user needs with stringent technical feasibility and government security constraints requires strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Design Mastery: Become a go-to expert in leveraging AI for UX design, particularly with Claude tools.

• Defense Sector Specialization: Gain deep expertise in the UX challenges and opportunities within the defense and national security technology landscape.

• Compliance Design Expertise: Develop specialized skills in designing for regulated environments and government accreditation processes.

• Product Strategy Influence: Grow into a more strategic role, influencing product direction and roadmap based on user insights and design expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents challenges that are also significant growth opportunities. The specialized nature of defense tech, combined with the integration of AI, creates a unique environment for professional development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design for a highly regulated or secure environment. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on process, compliance, and user advocacy.)

• "How would you approach designing a user interface for a system that requires users to operate under extreme stress or in a contested environment?" (Emphasize research, iterative testing, and understanding user psychology.)

• "Walk us through a project where you utilized AI tools in your design process. What was your prompt strategy, how did you iterate, and what were the outcomes?" (Be specific about tools, process, and results.)

• "How do you balance user needs with technical feasibility and strict security requirements?" (Highlight your negotiation, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Second Front Systems' mission and our work in defense technology?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to a 'Public Benefit Corporation' focused on national security?" (Connect your values and aspirations to the company's mission.)

• "Describe your ideal remote work environment and how you maintain productivity and collaboration." (Showcase your remote work skills and self-management.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a brief overview of your career and design philosophy, then dive into 2-3 key projects. For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact.

• Showcase AI Integration: Dedicate specific slides or segments to projects where you used AI tools. Detail your approach and the benefits derived.

• Emphasize Defense/Complex Scenarios: If possible, highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to handle complexity, security, or high-stakes user needs, even if not directly in defense.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design decisions, research methods, and trade-offs made.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus heavily on demonstrating practical application of AI design tools, a structured problem-solving approach, and an understanding of the unique constraints of designing for defense and secure environments.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the "Apply for This Job" button on the Ashby job portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your end-to-end design process, problem-solving skills, and proficiency with Figma and AI design tools like Claude. Ensure each project clearly articulates the challenge, your role, your process, the solution, and measurable outcomes.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of experience in product/UX/UI design for complex web applications or SaaS. Explicitly mention your experience with Figma, Claude Design, Claude Code, user research, and any familiarity with compliance frameworks or defense-related projects.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio case studies, focusing on clear communication, strategic decision-making, and the impact of your designs. Be ready to discuss your AI tool usage and experience in regulated environments.

• Research Second Front Systems: Understand their mission, values, and the challenges of designing software for defense. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest during interviews.

⚠️ 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.

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