UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: BigBear.ai

Location: Ashburn, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Technology / Art & Design / Software Engineering

Date Posted: September 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the user experience and interface design for BigBear.ai's advanced AI-powered decision intelligence solutions.

• You will be instrumental in translating complex user needs and business objectives into intuitive, high-fidelity digital interfaces.

• This position requires a blend of user research, interaction design, visual design, and front-end development expertise to ensure seamless human-computer interaction.

• Success in this role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and stakeholders, to deliver exceptional user-centered products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is UX/UI Designer, the description heavily emphasizes front-end development skills and experience with specific JavaScript frameworks (Angular, React, Vue) and Java-based web applications. This suggests the role may be a hybrid UX/UI Designer and Front-End Developer, or a designer with strong front-end capabilities expected to contribute directly to implementation. The AI-powered decision intelligence context means understanding complex workflows and data visualization will be crucial.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including deconstructing digital interactions and user habits, to inform design decisions.

• Develop and articulate strategic UI/UX approaches aligned with BigBear.ai's target goals and business objectives.

• Create and meticulously maintain digital assets, such as interface design files, wireframes, and interactive mockups using industry-standard design and prototyping tools.

• Design, build, and maintain highly reusable JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code, ensuring adherence to best practices and scalability.

• Contribute to the development and enhancement of Java-based web applications, leveraging expertise in Angular, React, or Vue.

• Provide critical technical advice by understanding the limitations and capabilities of the existing tech stack and business model.

• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders and development teams to translate business requirements, user needs, and technical constraints into functional designs.

• Analyze existing workflows to identify usability issues and propose data-driven solutions for process optimization.

• Develop wireframes, mockups, and working prototypes to visualize and test design concepts before development.

• Establish and maintain design systems, reusable components, style guides, and UI standards to ensure consistency and efficiency across products.

• Champion user-centered design principles, usability heuristics, responsive design, and accessibility standards throughout the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on design (research, strategy, wireframing, prototyping) and front-end development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, framework implementation). The mention of "understand the limitations of our tech stack and business model and provide technical advice" suggests a need for pragmatic design solutions that are implementable.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5 to 10 years of professional experience in UX/UI design and front-end development.

Required Skills:

• Minimum 5 years of experience working with and developing applications in modern JavaScript libraries such as Vue, React, and Angular.

• Demonstrated proficiency in building and maintaining highly reusable JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code.

• Expertise in user-centered design principles, usability heuristics, responsive design, and accessibility standards.

• Proficiency with wireframing and design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar.

• Experience creating and maintaining digital assets, including interface design files, wireframes, and interactive mockups.

• Strong understanding and practical application of HTML5 and its best practices.

• Expert knowledge of CSS, including CSS extension languages (Less, Sass), and CSS preprocessor tools.

• Proficiency in using Git version control and familiarity with code versioning practices on large teams (branching strategies, pull requests, code reviews).

• Experience working with Java-based web applications.

• Proficiency with image authoring tools like Photoshop or Illustrator.

• Familiarity with NodeJS.

• Proficiency using the command line. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working specifically with Angular and developing within Java-based web application environments.

• A portfolio or live examples of code demonstrating JavaScript proficiency and understanding of SOLID design principles (e.g., plugins, node packages).

• Knowledge of pre-processors/transpilers such as PUG/SCSS/Babel.

• Experience collaborating closely with stakeholders, UX/UI designers, and development teams throughout the entire design and development lifecycle.

• A strong eye for visual design, with a passion for creating clean, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

• Experience creating and maintaining comprehensive design systems, reusable UI components, style guides, and design standards.

• Proficiency with Figma for UI/UX design and prototyping, including the ability to develop detailed wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is extensive and leans heavily into front-end development, particularly JavaScript frameworks and core web technologies. The "portfolio that demonstrates both JavaScript proficiency and understanding of SOLID design principles" is a critical requirement, indicating a need for developers who can not only design but also write robust, maintainable code.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong blend of UX/UI design work and front-end development capabilities.

• Design case studies that clearly articulate the problem, user research methodology, design process, and final solution.

• Demonstrations of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for complex applications.

• Code samples or links to live projects that highlight proficiency in JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, and at least one modern JavaScript framework (Angular, React, Vue).

• Evidence of contributions to design systems, style guides, or reusable component libraries. Process Documentation:

• Documented examples of user research methodologies employed, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

• Workflow diagrams illustrating the design and development process from ideation to implementation.

• Case studies detailing how user feedback and technical constraints were integrated into the design and development cycles.

• Examples of how design decisions were translated into clean, efficient, and maintainable front-end code.

• Demonstrations of how accessibility and responsive design principles were integrated into the development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are critical for this role, emphasizing a need to prove both design acumen and coding ability. Candidates should prepare to walk through their process, showcasing how they bridge the gap between design and development, especially within the context of complex, enterprise-level applications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UX/UI Designer with 5-10 years of experience in the Ashburn, Virginia area, the estimated annual salary range is $110,000 - $150,000 USD. This estimate considers the blend of design and front-end development skills required, the company's focus on advanced technology (AI/decision intelligence), and the cost of living in the Northern Virginia tech corridor.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

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

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or stock options.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, BigBear.ai may offer some flexibility for focused work, particularly for design and development tasks that require deep concentration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for this hybrid role in a high-cost-of-living tech hub. The specific salary offered will depend on the candidate's exact experience, skill set, and negotiation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: BigBear.ai operates in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Decision Intelligence sector, providing solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, a focus on data-driven insights, and the development of complex, mission-critical systems.

Company Size: BigBear.ai is a public company, indicating a significant operational scale and established corporate structure. This size suggests opportunities for structured career growth, access to robust resources, and engagement with diverse projects.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, the company's public status suggests a mature organization with a history of growth and development in the AI space.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a broader Product Development or Engineering team, potentially within a dedicated UX/UI group or integrated into agile development squads.

• Reporting structure would likely be to a Lead UX/UI Designer, Design Manager, or Head of Product/Engineering, depending on team organization.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close interaction with product managers, software engineers (front-end, back-end), data scientists, and potentially stakeholders from national security or supply chain domains. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights methods will be central, leveraging user research, analytics, and performance metrics to guide design and development.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be applied to both user interfaces and internal development processes.

• Automation and efficiency practices are expected, particularly in front-end development and the creation of reusable design components.

Company Website: https://bigbear.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: BigBear.ai's focus on AI and decision intelligence for critical sectors implies a culture that values precision, innovation, and robust solutions. The company's public status suggests a professional environment with established processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level individual contributor, requiring significant experience (5-10 years) and a strong command of both design principles and front-end development practices. The ability to provide technical advice and contribute to design systems indicates a level of autonomy and expertise beyond a junior role.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report into a management layer within Product or Engineering, with direct collaboration across engineering teams and product management. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while fostering direct impact on product development.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's impact is direct and significant, influencing the usability, efficiency, and adoption of BigBear.ai's AI-powered decision intelligence platforms. By creating intuitive interfaces for complex systems, this role directly contributes to the effectiveness and success of customers in critical domains.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific front-end frameworks (e.g., becoming an Angular specialist) or advanced UX research methodologies.

• Design Leadership: Progress into a Senior UX/UI Designer, Lead Designer, or Design Manager role, overseeing teams and strategic design initiatives.

• Product Strategy: Transition into product management or a product design lead role, taking on greater responsibility for product vision and roadmap.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of AI, machine learning, and data science to contribute more effectively to complex product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role offers a unique growth path. Candidates can either specialize further in advanced UX/UI design for complex systems or leverage their front-end skills to move into more development-centric leadership or even full-stack roles if they expand their back-end knowledge.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the Ashburn, Virginia office. This suggests a traditional office environment designed for in-person collaboration, team meetings, and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 22001 Loudoun County Parkway, Ashburn, Virginia, 20147, United States. This location is within a significant technology corridor in Northern Virginia.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely foster a collaborative environment where designers and developers can interact directly, facilitating rapid feedback loops and problem-solving.

• Access to standard office technology, including powerful workstations, design software licenses, and development tools, is expected.

• Opportunities for informal and formal team interactions, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions are probable.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time work hours are expected, with the role being on-site. While specific flexibility details are not provided, on-site roles typically adhere to core business hours, with potential for occasional overtime if project deadlines require it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, which can be beneficial for complex design and development projects requiring constant communication and whiteboarding.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, detailing their UX/UI design process, problem-solving approach, and front-end development capabilities. This is a critical stage.

• Technical Assessment: Expect a technical interview or coding challenge focusing on JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and potentially a specific framework (e.g., Angular, React, Vue). This could involve live coding or a take-home assignment.

• Design Challenge: A practical design exercise, potentially involving wireframing, prototyping, or UI design for a given problem, may be part of the process.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members, including engineers, product managers, and other designers, to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: A concluding interview, possibly with senior leadership, to discuss strategic fit and overall qualifications.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Hybrid Skills: Clearly showcase projects that demonstrate both your design thinking and your front-end implementation skills.

• Structure Case Studies: For each project, detail the problem statement, your role, the research and design process, technical challenges, solutions implemented, and quantifiable results or user impact.

• Code Quality: If including code samples, ensure they are clean, well-commented, and follow best practices, especially demonstrating SOLID principles.

• Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific tools like Figma, Sketch, InVision, Git, and your preferred IDEs.

• Company Alignment: Tailor your portfolio to showcase experience relevant to BigBear.ai's domain (AI, decision intelligence, complex systems) if possible.

Challenge Preparation:

• Front-End Fundamentals: Brush up on JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, responsive design, and accessibility.

• Framework Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your skills in Angular, React, or Vue, depending on the specific focus of the challenge.

• Design Thinking: Practice problem-solving for user interface and user experience challenges, focusing on iterative design and user feedback.

• System Design Thinking: Understand how your design and code fit into a larger application architecture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the candidate's ability to execute on both design and development. A strong, well-documented portfolio that clearly bridges these two disciplines will be key to advancing.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (preferred), Sketch, InVision, Adobe XD, Axure, Mock Plus.

• Front-end Development: JavaScript (ES6+), HTML5, CSS3, Sass/Less.

• JavaScript Frameworks: Angular (preferred), React, Vue.

• Development Environment: NodeJS, Git.

• Image Editing: Photoshop, Illustrator.

• Pre-processors/Transpilers: PUG, SCSS, Babel.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly listed, proficiency with analytics tools to track user behavior and design effectiveness (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly specified for this role, but understanding how UX/UI impacts CRM systems or marketing automation workflows could be a plus. Integration tools knowledge might be relevant if working closely with back-end developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily skewed towards modern front-end development. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific tools and frameworks, especially Angular, and how they integrate them into their design and development workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Excellence: A drive to develop cutting-edge AI solutions and maintain high standards in design and code quality.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and meeting user needs through thoughtful design and seamless experiences.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving across disciplines.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing data from research, analytics, and user feedback to inform design and development choices.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Building robust, maintainable systems that can scale and adapt to evolving requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with product managers, engineers, and data scientists to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

• Iterative Design & Development: Embracing agile methodologies with frequent feedback loops and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in code reviews, design critiques, and sharing best practices within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: BigBear.ai likely fosters a culture that values technical expertise, innovation, and a strong sense of ownership. The emphasis on complex problem-solving for critical sectors suggests a professional and results-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of AI/Decision Intelligence: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex, data-intensive AI platforms that are used in high-stakes environments.

• Balancing Design and Development: Effectively managing the dual responsibilities of creating user-centered designs and implementing them with high-quality front-end code.

• Technical Constraints: Navigating and working within the limitations of existing tech stacks and business models while still delivering innovative solutions.

• Staying Current: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in AI, UX/UI design trends, and front-end development technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to training programs focused on advanced UX research, specific front-end frameworks, or AI/ML concepts.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend relevant UX/UI design and technology conferences.

• Mentorship: Guidance from senior designers, developers, and product leaders within BigBear.ai.

• Project Variety: Exposure to diverse projects across national security, supply chain, and digital identity domains, offering broad experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges due to the complexity of the domain and the hybrid nature of the responsibilities, but these also translate into substantial learning and growth opportunities for ambitious professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user interface you designed and the front-end challenges you faced during its implementation. How did you overcome them?" (Focus on showcasing your process, problem-solving, and technical execution.)

• "How do you approach translating abstract business requirements and user needs into concrete UI designs and reusable code components?" (Highlight your methodology for bridging strategy and execution.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to balance user experience goals with technical constraints. What trade-offs did you make, and why?" (Demonstrate your pragmatic approach and ability to deliver within limitations.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX/UI design and front-end development, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BigBear.ai's mission in AI and decision intelligence, particularly for national security or supply chain sectors?" (Research the company's impact and tailor your answer.)

• "How would you contribute to our existing design system or help establish new UI standards?" (Showcase your understanding of design systems and your proactive approach.)

• "Describe your experience working in an agile development environment and collaborating with engineering teams." (Emphasize your teamwork and adaptability.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling narratives, clearly outlining the problem, your process, your contributions, and the impact of your work.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your designs and code (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced errors, increased user satisfaction).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use interactive prototypes and well-commented code snippets to illustrate your skills effectively.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, coding choices, and problem-solving strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to defend both your design choices and your code. The interviewers will be looking for a candidate who can articulate the 'why' behind their decisions and demonstrate mastery across the entire design-to-development pipeline.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5-10 years of experience, specific skills in UX/UI design, front-end development (JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3), and proficiency with tools like Figma, Sketch, and Git. Emphasize achievements using quantifiable results where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases a strong blend of design and front-end development work, and includes detailed case studies. Be ready to present it confidently, explaining your process and impact.

• Practice Technical Skills: Review core JavaScript concepts, HTML5, CSS3, and your experience with Angular, React, or Vue. Prepare for potential coding exercises or technical discussions.

• Research BigBear.ai: Understand the company's mission, its AI-powered solutions, and its impact on national security and supply chain management. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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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