UX Designer - Clearance Required

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer - Clearance Required

Company: Logistics Management Institute (LMI)

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Government Technology

Date Posted: June 04, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-level (3+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Preference for San Diego, CA candidate)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on Human-Centered Design (HCD) and User Experience (UX) research within a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) digital transformation initiative.

• The UX Designer will translate complex mission needs into intuitive digital product designs, operating within stringent government security and cloud environment constraints.

• Key responsibilities include conducting user research, developing user personas and journey maps, creating wireframes and interactive prototypes, and facilitating usability testing.

• The position requires close collaboration with government technical leads and program teams to ensure design alignment with mission objectives and technical boundaries of AWS GovCloud environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Designer," the description emphasizes Human-Centered Design (HCD) and User Research, indicating a strong focus on the discovery and validation phases of the design process rather than purely visual or UI design. The context of supporting a DoD digital transformation effort on AWS GovCloud, with specific security and accreditation requirements (IL6), is critical for understanding the operational constraints and user types. This role is deeply integrated with government product development and requires a strategic understanding of mission workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Discovery and User Research:

  • Plan and execute user interviews, contextual inquiry sessions, and surveys with government operators, mission staff, and stakeholders across various classification levels.
  • Map current-state workflows, identifying friction points, manual processes, risks, and delays in mission task completion.
  • Identify and document user pain points, workarounds, and unmet needs within operational and enterprise domains.
  • Develop comprehensive user personas, detailed journey maps, and prioritized problem statements to serve as foundational elements for design decisions.

• Design and Prototyping:

  • Translate research findings into effective information architecture, user flows, and wireframes for mission-critical applications.
  • Develop low- and mid-fidelity interactive prototypes suitable for rigorous, structured usability testing with target user groups.
  • Lead and facilitate usability testing sessions, critically synthesize feedback, and iterate on designs to address identified usability issues.
  • Produce validated design directions and annotated prototypes that will inform and standardize technical build processes for successive application development efforts.

• Collaboration and Delivery:

  • Work directly with Government Technical Leads and program management teams to ensure design direction aligns with overarching mission requirements and platform constraints.

  • Coordinate closely with the platform engineering team to understand technical limitations and opportunities within AWS GovCloud environments that impact design choices.

  • Document design decisions, research findings, usability test results, and open questions meticulously using project management systems like GitLab, adhering to established project conventions.

  • Author Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) to formally capture and justify key Human-Centered Design choices made throughout the HCD phases.

  • Support the seamless handoff from the HCD phase to technical build teams by delivering detailed design specifications, annotated wireframes, and prioritized backlogs of design requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a robust HCD process, from deep user research and workflow analysis to iterative prototyping and formal documentation. The emphasis on "discovery-first, design-led" indicates that understanding the "why" and "how" from the user's perspective is paramount. The requirement to author ADRs and document in GitLab suggests a need for strong technical documentation skills and familiarity with agile development workflows common in government IT projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience in Human-Centered Design (HCD), UX research, or service design.

Required Skills:

• Active DoD Secret clearance (mandatory).

• Proficiency in planning and conducting user interviews, contextual inquiry, and structured usability testing sessions.

• Proven ability to develop user personas, journey maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Demonstrated experience operating within classified or sensitive government environments, understanding security constraints on research access and tooling.

• Excellent communication skills for articulating design rationale and research findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Experience documenting design work and progress in issue-tracking or project management systems (e.g., GitLab, Jira, or equivalent).

Preferred Skills:

• TS/SCI eligibility.

• Experience designing tools for a range of DoD mission domains (operational, administrative, data, enterprise).

• Prior work on DoD or Intelligence Community (IC) programs, with familiarity of Risk Management Framework (RMF), Authority to Operate (ATO) processes, and designing for classified network environments.

• Experience delivering HCD on programs operating across multiple classification levels (e.g., NIPR and SIPR).

• Familiarity with AWS GovCloud environments or DoD-accredited DevSecOps platforms.

• Proficiency with industry-standard prototyping tools such as Figma, Axure, or equivalent.

• SOF (Special Operations Forces) operator or SOF-support background, demonstrating an understanding of SOF core activities and mission sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The clearance requirement is non-negotiable. The distinction between "preferred" and "required" skills is crucial. Experience in government/defense is heavily weighted, with specific knowledge of RMF, ATO, and classified networks being significant advantages. Familiarity with AWS GovCloud and DevSecOps platforms directly aligns with the project's technical environment. A SOF background is a niche but highly valuable asset for understanding specific mission contexts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of HCD Process: Showcase end-to-end Human-Centered Design projects, detailing the problem, your role, research methodologies, design iterations, and final outcomes. Focus on the process and rationale behind decisions.

• User Research Artifacts: Include examples of user personas, journey maps, empathy maps, or stakeholder analysis that informed design.

• Wireframes and Prototypes: Present low- to mid-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes that demonstrate user flows and information architecture. Highlight how these artifacts were used for testing and iteration.

• Usability Testing Reports: Summarize findings from usability tests, including observed issues, user feedback, and how that feedback led to design improvements.

• Documentation Examples: If possible, include examples of documentation similar to what would be produced in GitLab or Jira, such as user stories, requirements, or design specifications.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Analysis: Demonstrate experience in mapping and analyzing complex current-state workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and proposing optimized future-state workflows.

• Design System/Standards: While not explicitly mentioned as a "design system" role, show an ability to establish and adhere to design standards and conventions that ensure consistency and repeatability across digital products.

• Agile Integration: Illustrate how your HCD process integrates with agile development sprints, including collaboration with product owners and engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing HCD and government work, the portfolio should clearly articulate the process of design and research, not just the final UI. Demonstrating the ability to work within constraints (security, technical) and to translate complex mission needs into actionable designs is key. Including examples of user research artifacts and usability test summaries will be highly valued. The ability to document and communicate design decisions formally is also crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $112,000 - $180,000 per year

Disclaimer: The provided salary range is a guideline. Actual compensation will be determined by factors including candidate qualifications, experience, education, security clearance, business needs, and client contract requirements.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, and conferences to enhance skills in HCD, UX, and government technology.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-sponsored life and disability coverage.

• Hybrid Work Flexibility: Allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.

• The role is designated as Hybrid, allowing for flexibility in work location, with a preference for candidates based in San Diego, CA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, reflecting the significant impact of security clearance, specific experience (especially in defense/government), and location on compensation within the government contracting sector. The "Disclaimer" is important for managing candidate expectations. The benefits package is typical for a professional services firm, with a focus on health, retirement, and paid time off, complemented by professional development opportunities relevant to the industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Professional Services / Digital Solutions for Government

Company Size: LMI is a mid-to-large size organization, often described as having between 500-1000 employees based on typical descriptions of such organizations. This size implies a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for individual impact.

Founded: LMI was founded in 1961. This long history suggests stability, deep institutional knowledge, and established relationships within the government sector.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The UX Designer will likely be part of a broader digital transformation or technology solutions team, potentially within a dedicated HCD or User Experience practice group, or embedded within a specific program team.

• Operations Team Aspect 2: This role reports to a program manager or a lead designer/researcher, with direct collaboration with Government Technical Leads and program stakeholders.

• Operations Team Aspect 3: Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, involving close work with government clients, program managers, software engineers, system architects, and potentially subject matter experts (SMEs) from various mission domains.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1: LMI's approach emphasizes accelerating government impact through innovation and speed, leveraging commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI. This suggests a focus on agile methodologies, rapid prototyping, and data-driven decision-making.

• Operations Process 2: The company invests in technology and prototypes ahead of need, indicating a proactive, forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and solution development.

• Operations Process 3: LMI's strategy involves enhancing government outcomes efficiently and effectively by serving defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors, navigating complexity, and out-pacing change.

Company Website: https://www.lmi.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: LMI's long-standing presence in government contracting suggests a deep understanding of federal client needs and operational realities. Their self-description as a "new breed of digital solutions provider" indicates a blend of traditional government expertise with modern, agile, and tech-forward approaches. The emphasis on innovation, speed, and commercial-grade solutions points to a dynamic work environment within the federal space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level UX Designer role, requiring 3+ years of experience. It signifies a position where the individual is expected to work independently on defined projects, contribute significantly to design strategy, and mentor junior designers if applicable. It is a crucial step beyond entry-level, demanding ownership and strategic thinking.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will likely report to a Program Manager or a Lead UX/HCD practitioner within LMI's project structure. Direct collaboration with Government Technical Leads is a key aspect, implying a matrixed reporting or strong stakeholder management dynamic.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to the success of DoD digital transformation efforts. By ensuring user needs are met and workflows are optimized, the UX Designer contributes to improved mission effectiveness, operational efficiency, reduced risk, and better user adoption of critical government systems. This has direct implications for national security and public service delivery.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Potential to deepen expertise in Human-Centered Design, UX research methodologies, and specific DoD mission domains. Opportunity to work with advanced technologies like AI and cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud).

• Leadership Development: Progression to Senior UX Designer, Lead UX Researcher, or HCD Lead roles, managing projects, mentoring teams, and influencing design strategy across multiple applications or programs.

• Specialization: Opportunity to specialize in areas such as service design, interaction design, user research for complex systems, or specific mission sets relevant to DoD.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining expertise in government contracting processes, DevSecOps pipelines, and cloud-native development within secure government environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX Designer at LMI in this context likely involves increasing responsibility for complex projects, leading design initiatives, and potentially managing teams. The unique environment of government contracting and defense technology offers specialized growth opportunities not found in typical commercial tech roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as Hybrid, with a preference for San Diego, CA. This suggests a mix of remote work and in-office presence. LMI likely operates out of professional office spaces designed for collaboration, client meetings, and focused work.

Office Location(s): While the specific San Diego office isn't detailed, LMI has offices in Tysons, Virginia, and potentially other locations supporting government contracts. For this role, the San Diego location is a strong preference, suggesting a significant client presence or team hub there.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on working with government teams necessitate a collaborative workspace, whether in-office or virtual, facilitating brainstorming, feedback sessions, and co-creation.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to standard design software (Figma, Axure), project management tools (GitLab, Jira), and potentially secure government-accredited environments for testing and development.

• Operations Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with internal LMI teams and external government stakeholders is expected, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills to navigate diverse working styles and requirements.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time, 40-hour work week.

• Hybrid arrangement offers flexibility. Specific in-office days or hours would be determined by team needs and management. This flexibility is crucial for balancing focused design work with collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature, combined with the government context, implies a need for structured communication and self-discipline. While flexibility is offered, the critical nature of DoD work and clearance requirements may necessitate periods of focused, secure in-office work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Deeper dive into experience, HCD methodology, and role-specific skills. May involve behavioral questions and scenario-based questions.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their work, focusing on case studies that demonstrate their HCD process, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver results within complex environments.

• Technical/Stakeholder Interview: May involve discussions with government technical leads or other senior stakeholders to assess alignment with mission needs and technical constraints.

• Final Interview: Typically with senior leadership for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role, the users you engaged with, the research methods used, key insights, design iterations, and the impact/outcomes.

• Demonstrate HCD: Show how user needs drove design decisions at every stage. Highlight user interviews, contextual inquiry, journey mapping, and usability testing.

• Showcase Constraints: If possible, illustrate how you worked within technical, security, or budgetary constraints. This is particularly relevant for government projects.

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

• Tailor to LMI: Research LMI's work in the defense/government sector and try to align your portfolio examples with their mission and client types.

Challenge Preparation:

• HCD Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you might be asked to outline your approach to designing a solution for a specific DoD problem. Focus on your discovery and research planning.

• Process Walkthrough: Be ready to explain your design process in detail, from initial problem definition to validated design solutions.

• Collaboration Questions: Anticipate questions about how you collaborate with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders, especially in a hybrid or remote setup.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most significant part of the interview process for this role. Candidates must be able to articulate their HCD methodology clearly and provide concrete examples of how they have applied it, especially in government or defense contexts. Demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges of working with government clients and within secure environments will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma, Axure (or similar industry-standard tools like Sketch, Adobe XD). Proficiency in creating interactive prototypes is essential.

• User Research & Analysis: Tools for conducting interviews (e.g., Zoom, Teams), note-taking, affinity mapping (e.g., Miro, Mural), and potentially specialized survey tools.

• Project Management & Documentation: GitLab (explicitly mentioned for documentation), Jira, Confluence, or similar issue-tracking and collaboration platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core UX design function, but an understanding of how user feedback loops into CRM or product management systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Axure is specifically mentioned as desirable. GitLab is highlighted as the primary tool for documentation, indicating a strong preference for candidates familiar with its use in agile development workflows. Understanding the secure nature of AWS GovCloud and accredited environments is more about operational context than specific tool usage, but it's a critical constraint to be aware of.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Impact: A core value likely drives LMI's work – contributing meaningfully to government missions and national security. Operations professionals are expected to prioritize these outcomes.

• Innovation & Speed: The company culture encourages finding new ways to solve problems and delivering solutions rapidly, akin to commercial tech pace within the government sector.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research, analytics, and user feedback to inform design and strategic choices.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with clients, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Integrity & Trust: Essential when working with sensitive government information and critical systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands seamless integration with engineering, program management, and government client teams. Effective communication and partnership are key.

• Process Refinement: An environment that likely values continuous improvement and is open to feedback on design processes and workflows.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of research findings, design best practices, and lessons learned across teams to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: LMI's culture, as described, balances the rigor and mission-focus of government work with the agility and innovation often associated with commercial tech. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of these dual demands and how they translate into daily work and decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Constraints: Working within the strict security protocols, accreditation processes (RMF, ATO), and technical limitations of DoD environments (AWS GovCloud, IL6, NIPR/SIPR) can be complex.

• Translating Mission Needs: Understanding and translating highly specialized, often classified, mission requirements into user-centric digital solutions requires significant effort and domain understanding.

• Stakeholder Management: Balancing the needs and expectations of various government stakeholders, technical teams, and LMI program management can be demanding.

• Bridging Commercial and Government Practices: Integrating modern HCD/UX practices within traditional government acquisition and development cycles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Domain Knowledge: Deep dive into specific DoD mission sets and operational environments.

• Advanced HCD/UX Techniques: Opportunities to master advanced research methodologies, service design, and complex system design.

• Government Technology Landscape: Gaining expertise in cloud environments like AWS GovCloud, DevSecOps, and secure development practices relevant to federal agencies.

• Professional Certifications: Pursuing certifications relevant to UX, HCD, or government IT security (e.g., Certified Usability Analyst, CompTIA Security+ if applicable to role context).

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are intrinsically linked to the unique environment of government contracting in the defense sector. Growth opportunities are directly tied to acquiring specialized knowledge and skills within this niche, making it an attractive path for those interested in government technology.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• HCD Approach: "Describe your end-to-end Human-Centered Design process from problem discovery to validated solution. How would you adapt this process for a new DoD mission application on AWS GovCloud?" (Focus on discovery, user research, iterative design, and validation within constraints.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholders: "How do you work with government technical leads and engineers to ensure design solutions are technically feasible and meet mission requirements? Describe a time you had to negotiate design trade-offs." (Highlight communication, negotiation, and partnership skills.)

• Problem Solving: "Imagine you're tasked with improving a critical but outdated workflow for military operators. What are your first steps, and how would you gather requirements and validate potential solutions?" (Emphasize research planning, user engagement, and iterative validation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• LMI's Mission: "What interests you about LMI's mission to accelerate government impact, and how does your UX expertise align with that?" (Show research into LMI's values and business.)

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal team environment for executing HCD projects. How do you contribute to a collaborative culture, especially in a hybrid setting?" (Focus on teamwork, communication, and adaptability.)

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX designs, particularly within a government context where traditional KPIs might differ?" (Discuss metrics, user feedback, and mission alignment.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure each case study like a story: the challenge, the journey (research, design), and the resolution (validated solution, impact).

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear visuals for wireframes, prototypes, and research artifacts. Show the evolution of designs.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if it was a team project.

• Focus on Rationale: Explain why you made certain design decisions, linking them back to user research or business/mission needs.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the HCD process, the ability to work within government constraints, and excellent communication skills. Candidates should be ready to articulate their experience in terms of impact and process, not just final deliverables.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the LMI careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight experience with Human-Centered Design, UX research, government/defense projects, and any relevant security clearances. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your HCD process and relevant case studies.

• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description such as "Human-Centered Design," "UX Research," "DoD," "Secret Clearance," "AWS GovCloud," "Prototyping," "Usability Testing," and "GitLab." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, research methodologies, and collaboration strategies. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss how your skills align with LMI's mission and the specific requirements of this role. Research LMI's projects and values.

• Company Research: Understand LMI's role in government contracting, their focus on digital transformation, and their commitment to accelerating government impact. Familiarize yourself with the challenges and opportunities of working on DoD projects.

⚠️ 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.