UX Designer (Secret or TS Clearance Required)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer (Secret or TS Clearance Required)

Company: ICF

Location: Reston, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

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

Remote Status: Remote Eligible (within the United States)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the modernization of federal legacy systems through human-centered UX/UI design, emphasizing user-centric transformation of digital platforms.

• The position requires active participation in Agile and DevSecOps-enabled programs, contributing to the full product lifecycle from concept to iterative improvement.

• A key aspect involves translating complex requirements into intuitive user experiences, ensuring alignment with federal UX/UI standards and accessibility guidelines.

• The UX Designer will leverage data-driven design principles, participating in usability testing and analyzing UX metrics to inform product decisions and enhance user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Designer," the emphasis on modernizing federal systems, working within Agile/DevSecOps, and contributing to operational efficiency suggests a strong overlap with operations-focused roles. The need to translate complex business processes and mission requirements into intuitive solutions highlights the operational impact of effective UX design in government contexts. This role bridges design and operational effectiveness.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end user experiences, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs and specifications, for enterprise users in areas like personnel vetting and adjudication workflows.

• Ensure all designs adhere to federal UX/UI standards, including Section 508 accessibility compliance and system-specific design systems (e.g., NBIS UI/UX Playbook).

• Support and participate in usability testing, observing representative users, capturing qualitative insights, and translating findings into actionable design improvements for enhanced usability and efficiency.

• Analyze UX metrics such as task success rates, feature adoption, and workflow completion to inform design decisions and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

• Collaborate within Agile (SAFe) delivery teams, working alongside developers, product owners, and engineers during sprint planning, design reviews, and PI demos to ensure seamless UX integration into the development process.

• Apply and contribute to shared UI components, patterns, and design systems to maintain consistency across enterprise applications and promote interoperability.

• Produce clear UX/UI documentation, including design specifications, interaction patterns, and user guidance, to support system adoption and ongoing enhancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a need for a designer who can not only create interfaces but also understand and optimize the underlying operational workflows. The emphasis on Section 508 and federal standards points to a requirement for compliance-driven design, a critical aspect of government operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.

Experience: 2+ years of professional experience in user experience design, interaction design, or a closely related field.

Required Skills:

• Active Secret security clearance, with eligibility to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

• Proven experience in user experience design, interaction design, or a similar role.

• Ability to reside and perform all work within the United States, as required by federal contracts.

• Proficiency in creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Understanding of human-centered design principles and their application in complex systems.

• Familiarity with federal UX/UI standards, including Section 508 accessibility. Preferred Skills:

• Top Secret security clearance.

• Experience designing for complex, multi-step workflows or enterprise applications.

• Working knowledge of Figma for design and prototyping.

• Strong collaboration skills across cross-functional teams (design, engineering, product).

• Ability to clearly communicate design decisions and adapt based on feedback.

• Experience working on federal or highly regulated systems (e.g., DoD, security, or identity platforms).

• Exposure to the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and federal accessibility standards.

• Experience collaborating with developers in Agile or iterative delivery environments.

• Familiarity with UX analytics and behavioral measurement tools.

• Experience supporting the modernization of legacy systems into cloud-based platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The clearance requirement is paramount and non-negotiable. The preference for experience in federal systems, USWDS, and Section 508 highlights the specific operational context of this role within government digital services. Figma proficiency is a strong indicator of the expected toolset.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UX design process for complex applications or workflows.

• Highlight projects that involved translating intricate business requirements or technical constraints into intuitive user interfaces.

• Include examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity UI designs, clearly articulating design decisions and rationale.

• For government or regulated projects, emphasize adherence to specific standards (e.g., Section 508, design systems) and demonstrate how these were integrated. Process Documentation:

• Provide documentation of your design process, illustrating how you approach user research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

• Demonstrate experience with Agile methodologies, showing how UX design integrates into sprint cycles and product development workflows.

• Illustrate how you have used data (e.g., usability testing feedback, UX metrics) to inform and iterate on designs, showcasing a data-driven approach.

• Include examples of how you have contributed to or utilized design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency in UI development.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process and demonstrate how their work has improved user efficiency and satisfaction, especially within operational contexts. The emphasis on federal standards means portfolios should ideally include examples that reflect this.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $81,499.00 - $138,549.00 per year (Nationwide Remote Office)

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Life and disability insurance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. While the role is remote-eligible within the US, specific work hours may need to align with core business hours or team collaboration needs, especially within Agile ceremonies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level UX Designer role in the US, especially considering the required clearance. The benefits package is standard for a large consulting firm like ICF. The "Nationwide Remote Office" designation indicates flexibility, but candidates should confirm any specific location-based compensation adjustments or requirements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Consulting & Technology Services. ICF Next Government focuses on partnering with federal clients to modernize digital services.

Company Size: ICF is a large, global advisory and technology services provider, employing thousands worldwide. This size offers stability and access to diverse projects and resources.

Founded: ICF was founded in 1969, indicating a long history and established presence in the consulting and technology sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX Designer will be part of a cross-functional delivery team, likely including Product Owners, Developers, Engineers, and potentially Business Analysts or other UX/UI specialists.

• Reporting structure will likely be within a UX/Design practice or a specific program/project team, with a lead designer or program manager overseeing work.

• Collaboration is expected to be highly cross-functional, integrating design thinking into Agile and DevSecOps pipelines to deliver modernized digital services. Methodology:

• Embraces human-centered design principles throughout the product lifecycle.

• Operates within Agile (SAFe) delivery frameworks, promoting iterative development and continuous feedback.

• Utilizes DevSecOps practices to integrate security and operational considerations early in the development process.

• Employs data-driven design, using UX metrics and usability testing to inform iterative improvements.

Company Website: https://careers.icf.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: ICF's focus on government clients means a strong emphasis on compliance, security, and process adherence. The company culture likely values expertise, collaboration, and a commitment to public service. The large company size offers opportunities for structured career growth and exposure to various technologies and methodologies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level UX Designer role. It requires independent contribution to design tasks, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and a solid understanding of design principles and federal standards. The role is focused on execution and iterative improvement within defined project scopes.

Reporting Structure: The UX Designer will report to a design lead, program manager, or project manager within a specific federal contract or program. They will work closely with Agile teams, product owners, and developers.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is directly tied to improving the efficiency, usability, and effectiveness of federal digital services. By modernizing legacy systems and creating intuitive interfaces, they contribute to better operational outcomes, increased user satisfaction, and potentially reduced training/support costs for government agencies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in federal UX/UI standards, accessibility (Section 508), USWDS, or specific government domains (e.g., defense, security).

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX Designer roles, leading design efforts on larger projects, mentoring junior designers, or contributing to the evolution of ICF's design practice.

• Skill Expansion: Gain experience in advanced UX research techniques, UX strategy, information architecture, or even product management within the federal sector.

• Clearance Advancement: Opportunity to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance, opening doors to more sensitive and high-impact projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, this role offers a unique blend of design and government operations. Growth potential lies in becoming an expert in designing for complex, regulated environments, which is a valuable niche. The ability to influence operational efficiency through design is a significant growth pathway.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Nationwide Remote Office (US99)," indicating a primary remote work arrangement. ICF has physical offices, but this specific posting allows for remote work within the United States.

Office Location(s): While remote, ICF has numerous offices across the US, including a significant presence in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (Reston, VA is listed). This provides potential for occasional in-person meetings or team gatherings if desired or required.

Workspace Context:

• Remote work environment requiring self-discipline and effective time management.

• Access to standard collaboration tools and potentially company-provided hardware/software.

• Opportunities for virtual collaboration with distributed teams, fostering communication skills.

• A structured environment that adheres to government contracting requirements, including security protocols.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available, but core hours for team collaboration, sprint ceremonies, and client interaction will be crucial. Adherence to project deadlines and client needs is paramount.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature requires strong self-management. For operations professionals, this means being adept at managing one's own workflow and communication channels without direct, in-person supervision. The government contract context implies a professional, results-oriented work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application, focusing on clearance status, years of experience, and basic qualifications.

• Technical Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior designer, assessing UX skills, design process, tool proficiency (Figma), and understanding of federal standards. Expect questions about portfolio pieces.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation of selected case studies from your portfolio. Focus on explaining your role, the problem, your process, design decisions, and the impact/outcomes. Be prepared to discuss challenges and learnings.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Questions assessing collaboration, problem-solving, communication style, and alignment with ICF's values and the team's operational context. Questions about working in Agile/DevSecOps environments are likely.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a program lead or senior stakeholder, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Relevant Projects: Prioritize projects that demonstrate experience with complex workflows, enterprise applications, or government/regulated systems. If possible, include examples that touch upon Section 508 or USWDS.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate: the problem/challenge, your specific role and contributions, the design process, key decisions and rationale, trade-offs made, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your iterative design process, how you incorporated feedback, and how you collaborated with developers and stakeholders.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data (e.g., increased task completion rate, reduced error rate, improved user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the value of your design work.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle conflicting feedback, your experience with specific tools, and your understanding of federal design requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential design exercise or scenario-based question related to optimizing a government workflow or designing a new feature for a federal application.

• Practice articulating your thought process concisely and clearly.

• Understand how to balance user needs with technical constraints, security requirements, and accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your ability to translate design principles into practical, compliant solutions for government operations. Your portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating this capability. Be prepared to discuss how your design work directly supports operational goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be the primary tool for wireframing, UI design, and prototyping. Proficiency is highly preferred.

• Sketch/Adobe XD: While Figma is preferred, experience with other industry-standard design tools may be beneficial.

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Axure RP, or similar tools for creating interactive prototypes may be used depending on project needs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• UX Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior and gathering insights is a plus.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI could be helpful for presenting UX metrics and outcomes.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user interfaces integrate with backend systems and workflows is essential. Experience with enterprise systems or custom-built federal platforms is relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is a key technical requirement. The ability to interpret data from analytics tools to inform design is crucial for demonstrating a data-driven approach, which is highly valued in operations-focused roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the end-user, especially within the context of government services.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high-quality design solutions that are robust, compliant, and effective.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, including engineers, product managers, and stakeholders, to achieve shared goals.

• Integrity & Compliance: Adhering to federal regulations, security protocols, and ethical standards in all aspects of work.

• Innovation & Modernization: Driving the adoption of modern design practices and technologies to improve legacy systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working within Agile/DevSecOps teams where continuous communication and feedback are integral.

• Emphasis on cross-functional teamwork, ensuring design is integrated with development, product strategy, and client requirements.

• Open to constructive feedback and iterative refinement of designs based on input from peers, developers, and users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at ICF, particularly within its government sector, will likely emphasize professionalism, adherence to process, and a results-oriented approach. The ability to integrate design into operational workflows and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Legacy Systems: Modernizing outdated federal systems often involves significant technical debt and complex existing workflows that are challenging to redesign.

• Strict Compliance & Security: Navigating stringent federal requirements, including Section 508 accessibility and security protocols, can add complexity to the design process.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Gaining consensus among diverse stakeholders with potentially competing priorities within government agencies.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and maintaining strong team cohesion in a remote or hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to ICF's internal training programs and potential for external certifications in UX, accessibility, or federal design standards.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior designers and subject matter experts within ICF's extensive network.

• Project Variety: Exposure to a wide range of federal projects, allowing for broad skill development and understanding of different government domains.

• Clearance Advancement: The path to obtaining and maintaining a TS clearance offers significant career development and access to higher-level projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents the challenge of applying cutting-edge UX principles within a highly regulated and often complex government operational environment. Overcoming these challenges leads to significant professional growth and specialized expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex government process or technical constraint into an intuitive user interface. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you ensure Section 508 accessibility is integrated into your design process from the outset, not as an afterthought?"

• "Walk us through your experience working within an Agile/DevSecOps team. How do you collaborate with developers and product owners?"

• "How do you use data and user feedback to iterate on your designs, especially when working on federal systems with limited direct user access?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working on federal projects specifically?"

• "How do you handle ambiguity and changing requirements, common in government projects?"

• "Describe your experience working remotely and how you maintain productivity and collaboration."

• "What are your thoughts on the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and its role in federal digital services?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design methodology for each case study. Demonstrate how you identified user needs, explored solutions, tested hypotheses, and iterated based on feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics where possible to show the positive impact of your designs on user experience and operational efficiency.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholder expectations, and incorporated technical constraints.

• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you addressed specific constraints like security, compliance (Section 508), or integration with legacy systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss your experience with federal systems, compliance requirements, and Agile methodologies in detail. Your ability to articulate your design process and demonstrate its impact on operational effectiveness will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned UX design position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 relevant projects that showcase your experience with complex workflows, federal standards (if applicable), and your end-to-end design process. Tailor your case study narratives to emphasize operational impact and problem-solving.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of UX design experience, mentions your active Secret clearance, and includes keywords like "human-centered design," "Agile," "DevSecOps," "Section 508," "wireframing," "prototyping," and "Figma."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and decisions, especially for federal or complex system examples. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, remote work, and problem-solving. Rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with ICF's work in the government sector, their approach to digital modernization, and the importance of human-centered design in federal services. Understand the significance of the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and Section 508.

⚠️ 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.