UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: Steampunk

Location: McLean, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Other

Category: Design / User Experience

Date Posted: September 16, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on applying human-centered design principles and user experience (UX) research methodologies to solve complex challenges for government clients.

• Responsibilities include planning and executing UX initiatives from initial discovery and user research through to detailed interface (UI) design and iterative testing.

• The designer will act as the primary advocate for the end-user, ensuring their needs and requirements are central to the proposed solutions and project objectives.

• Collaboration within an Agile/Scrum framework is essential, requiring close partnership with cross-functional teams including service designers, technologists, and data scientists.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is UX/UI Designer, the description emphasizes a strong consultative component, guiding government clients through a proprietary 'Design Intelligence™' framework. This suggests a role that blends direct design execution with strategic client advisory and process implementation, particularly relevant in a government contracting environment where understanding client missions and translating them into user-centric solutions is paramount.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute all phases of the user experience (UX) design process, from discovery and user research to iterative prototyping and final interface (UI) design.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including user interviews, co-creation workshops, heuristic evaluations, and card sorting, to deeply understand client missions, stakeholder needs, and user ecosystems.

• Develop key UX artifacts such as personas, journey maps, service blueprints, ecosystem maps, and information architecture to inform design decisions and communicate user insights.

• Design intuitive, accessible, and elegant user interfaces, translating complex user needs and technical constraints into implementable digital experiences.

• Perform usability and accessibility testing (including 508 compliance) to validate designs and ensure solutions meet stringent government standards and user requirements.

• Collaborate effectively within an Agile/Scrum team, contributing to sprint planning, writing user stories, and participating in story pointing to integrate UX/UI design seamlessly into technical development cycles.

• Ensure all design deliverables meet the highest quality standards, adhering to project specifications and the unique constraints of government platforms and operational environments.

• Facilitate workshops and client engagements to frame pain points, identify opportunities, validate hypotheses, and articulate a compelling user experience vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic client engagement and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "guiding government clients through our Design Intelligence™ framework" indicates that candidates will not just be designers but also consultants who can articulate and implement a specific design methodology. Experience with government sector constraints and compliance (508) is a critical component of these responsibilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Human-Centered Design (HCD), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or User Experience (UX) design. Experience:

• 4+ years of professional UX and UI design experience, specifically focused on creating viable solutions for multi-platform digital products.

• Demonstrated experience working within a project-based consulting environment.

• Proven ability to integrate research and design activities into technical sprints within an Agile delivery framework. Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A current, robust portfolio is mandatory, showcasing your ideology, methods, tools, skills, and craft in UX/UI design.

• User Research: Extensive experience in primary and secondary user research, including user interviews, discovery and co-creation workshops, heuristic evaluations, and card sorting.

• Information Architecture & Design: Proven ability to translate research insights into practical applications such as personas, journey maps, site maps, ecosystem maps, information architecture, and interface design.

• UI Design & Prototyping: Demonstrated experience in UI design, including wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, and conducting moderated and unmoderated user testing.

• Accessibility & Compliance: Strong knowledge and practical experience with Section 508 compliance requirements for federal government accessibility standards.

• Agile/Scrum: Experience working on a scrum team within an Agile delivery framework, including writing user stories and participating in story pointing.

• Design Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, and Zeplin.

• Analytical Skills: Natural curiosity for problem-solving coupled with strong analytical skills.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent written communication and presentation skills, with a collaborative nature.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous work experience in or with the federal government.

• Previous work experience as a consultant.

• Experience working on a cross-functional Salesforce implementation team.

• Ability to obtain a U.S. government Public Trust Security Clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Public Trust Security Clearance is a significant qualification, indicating that candidates must be U.S. citizens and pass a background check. The emphasis on a "current portfolio demonstrating ideology, methods, tools, skills, and craft" suggests that the review process will heavily scrutinize not just the final designs but the candidate's design thinking and process. The preferred experience in federal government or consulting is highly advantageous for navigating the client-facing and process-driven nature of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase end-to-end design projects, detailing the problem, your role, the process followed, key decisions made, and the impact/outcome.

• Methodology Showcase: Clearly articulate the human-centered design, Agile, and Design Intelligence™ frameworks utilized in your work.

• Artifact Examples: Include examples of personas, journey maps, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs.

• Research & Testing Documentation: Demonstrate how user research and testing informed design iterations and led to improved user experiences.

• Accessibility & Compliance Focus: Highlight projects where 508 compliance and accessibility were prioritized and successfully implemented.

Process Documentation:

• Discovery & Research: Evidence of structured approaches to understanding client missions, user needs, and current state journeys.

• Design Iteration: Documentation of iterative design processes, including prototyping, user testing, and incorporating feedback to refine solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Examples illustrating how you integrated design into Agile sprints and collaborated with technical teams, engineers, and stakeholders.

• Tool Proficiency: Showcase practical application of tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and Zeplin in a project context.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of the candidate's ability to apply a structured, human-centered design process within a consulting and government context. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their specific contributions, design decisions, and the impact of their work, particularly concerning efficiency, user satisfaction, and adherence to government standards like 508 compliance.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $140,000 annually.

Benefits:

• The company offers a comprehensive total compensation package beyond the base salary. Specific details on additional benefits can be found on the Steampunk website.

• While not explicitly listed in the provided text, typical benefits for such roles in the contracting industry often include:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

  • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401(k) with company match)

  • Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays

  • Life and Disability Insurance

  • Professional Development and Training Opportunities

  • Potential for bonuses or performance-based incentives Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, likely around 40 hours per week, aligning with typical government contracting and Agile team expectations.

• Flexibility may be available, but the role is primarily on-site, requiring consistent presence during core business hours for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $75,000 to $140,000 is an estimate based on Steampunk's stated compensation factors, including geographic location (McLean, VA), contractual requirements, education, and experience. McLean, VA, is a high-cost-of-living area with a strong government contracting presence, supporting this range. The company emphasizes that this is one component of their total compensation, suggesting a robust benefits package is likely offered.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Federal contracting, focusing on Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health, and DoD sectors. Steampunk positions itself as a "Change Agent" within this industry.

Company Size: The provided LinkedIn data suggests a company size of 201-500 employees. This indicates a mid-sized organization, offering a balance between established processes and potential for agility and individual impact.

Founded: The company was founded in 2011, suggesting a decade of experience in the federal contracting space.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with a diverse, multi-disciplinary team including service designers, technologists, data scientists, engineers, solution architects, and change managers.

• Agile Environment: Work will be conducted within an Agile delivery framework, likely involving scrum teams and iterative development cycles.

• Client-Facing: As part of the Design Intelligence™ process, the UX/UI Designer will directly engage with government clients, acting as a consultant and user advocate.

Methodology:

• Design Intelligence™: Steampunk utilizes a proprietary "Design Intelligence™ process" focused on human-centered methods to solve complex user experience challenges.

• Data-Driven Approach: The emphasis on research, testing, and analytics suggests a strong data-driven approach to design and problem-solving.

• Iterative Improvement: The Agile framework and testing requirements point to a culture of continuous iteration and improvement.

Company Website: http://www.steampunk.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk's positioning as a "Change Agent" and their "Design Intelligence™ process" suggests a culture that values innovation, strategic thinking, and a departure from traditional government contracting approaches. The company's focus on federal sectors means candidates should be comfortable with government client dynamics, security requirements, and mission-driven work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX/UI Designer (2-5 years of experience). It requires a solid foundation in UX/UI principles and practical application, with the ability to work independently on specific design tasks while also contributing strategically to client engagements.

Reporting Structure:

• The designer will likely report to a UX/UI Lead, Design Manager, or potentially a Program Manager overseeing client projects.

• They will work closely with project teams, including Service Designers, Technologists, Data Scientists, Engineers, Solution Architects, and Change Managers. Operations Impact:

• The UX/UI Designer's primary impact is on improving the user experience of digital products and services for government clients, directly contributing to mission success and user satisfaction.

• By applying human-centered design and the Design Intelligence™ framework, the role influences how government agencies interact with technology and serve their constituents or internal users.

• Successful design implementations can lead to increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, improved user adoption, and greater effectiveness in achieving client objectives. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like user research, interaction design, accessibility, or visual design within the federal sector.

• Consulting Skills: Develop advanced client management, workshop facilitation, and strategic advisory capabilities through direct client engagement.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX/UI Designer, Lead Designer, or UX Manager roles, overseeing projects, mentoring junior designers, and shaping design strategy.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Gain experience in related fields such as service design, data science, or change management by collaborating closely with these specialists.

• Security Clearance Advancement: As experience and trust are built, opportunities for higher-level security clearances may arise, opening doors to more sensitive projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a UX/UI Designer at Steampunk appears to lean towards specialized expertise within the federal contracting domain, coupled with strong consulting and client-facing skills. Growth is likely tied to mastering the Design Intelligence™ framework, demonstrating impact on government missions, and potentially moving into leadership or strategic roles within the design practice.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly listed as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a need for physical presence at the company's McLean, VA, location.

Office Location(s):

• McLean, Virginia, United States. This location is a hub for government contracting and technology firms, offering proximity to federal agencies and a dynamic professional network. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a work environment designed to foster collaboration, likely including meeting rooms, open-plan areas, and potentially dedicated project spaces for cross-functional teams.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office equipment, high-speed internet, and the necessary software licenses for design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, Zeplin) will be provided.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature facilitates spontaneous interactions, team huddles, and in-person workshops crucial for Agile development and client consultations.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with flexibility often available within core business hours to accommodate project deadlines and team needs.

• The on-site requirement means adherence to office hours and company policies regarding attendance and punctuality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in McLean, VA, is a key factor for candidates. This location suggests a need for local candidates or those willing to relocate. The collaborative and project-focused nature of government contracting often means a dynamic office environment where teamwork and direct communication are prioritized.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation/Discussion: Likely a dedicated session where you present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects, explaining your process, rationale, and impact. Be prepared for in-depth questions about your design decisions and methodology.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This could involve a design exercise, a case study, or scenario-based questions to evaluate your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and proficiency with design tools.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Questions focused on your collaboration style, how you handle challenges, your experience with Agile and government clients, and your alignment with Steampunk's values and Design Intelligence™ approach.

• Client/Stakeholder Interview (Potentially): Depending on the project, you might meet with key stakeholders or even a client representative.

• Final Interview: With hiring manager or senior leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UX/UI skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with human-centered design and Agile methodologies. Prioritize projects relevant to government clients or complex digital products.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and contributions, the design process (discovery, research, ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration), the tools used, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process, design rationale, and how you incorporated user feedback and research findings. Showcase artifacts like personas, journey maps, wireframes, and prototypes.

• Demonstrate 508 Compliance: If possible, include examples where you applied accessibility principles or met 508 compliance requirements.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and Zeplin, and how you use them to facilitate collaboration (e.g., via Zeplin for handoff).

• Address the "Design Intelligence™" Framework: Understand and be prepared to discuss how your approach aligns with or can be adapted to Steampunk's proprietary methodology.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Expect a problem statement requiring you to outline a design approach, potentially involving user research strategy, wireframing, or key UI elements. Focus on your process and rationale.

• Case Study Presentation: Be ready to present a past project in detail, focusing on the business problem, your solution, and the measurable results.

• Agile/Scrum Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would integrate UX/UI into sprints, write user stories, and collaborate with developers and product owners.

• Government Client Context: Think about how you would approach designing for government users, considering factors like security, accessibility (508), and diverse user bases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio as a demonstration of practical skills and process. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design thinking and how they translate user needs into tangible solutions, especially within the constraints and requirements of government projects. Understanding Steampunk's "Design Intelligence™" framework will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Zeplin. Proficiency in at least one of Figma or Sketch is highly expected, along with familiarity with Adobe's suite for asset creation and manipulation. Zeplin is key for design handoff to development teams.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing (moderated/unmoderated), heuristic evaluations, and potentially surveys. Specific tool names are not listed, but candidates should be familiar with the methodologies and common platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for UX/UI, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) can be beneficial for understanding user behavior post-launch.

• Experience with data visualization tools might be helpful for presenting research findings or user metrics. CRM & Automation:

• Experience with Salesforce is listed as a preferred skill, suggesting potential involvement in projects related to Salesforce implementations or integrations, which often require UX/UI considerations.

• Understanding how design integrates with CRM and automation workflows can be a significant advantage.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, and Zeplin indicates these are core tools for this role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency and discuss their workflows using these applications. Familiarity with the broader ecosystem of user research and analytics tools is also valuable.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting the needs of government clients and their end-users.

• Innovation & Change: Steampunk positions itself as a "Change Agent," valuing forward-thinking approaches and challenging traditional methods within federal contracting.

• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to deliver holistic solutions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research, testing, and analytics to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, elegant, and accessible design solutions.

• Continuous Learning: Staying abreast of evolving industry tools, best practices, and emerging technologies in UX/UI design.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working within an Agile framework necessitates frequent communication, feedback loops, and adaptability.

• Cross-functional Integration: Close partnerships with technologists, data scientists, service designers, and change managers, requiring clear communication and mutual respect for different disciplines.

• Consultative: Engaging with clients and stakeholders to guide them through design processes and articulate the value of user-centered design.

• Transparent Communication: Open sharing of ideas, challenges, and progress within teams and with clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Steampunk's culture appears to blend the structured, mission-oriented nature of federal contracting with a modern, innovative approach to design and problem-solving. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to work effectively in both collaborative team settings and client-facing consulting roles, valuing data, user needs, and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Constraints: Designing within the specific requirements, security protocols, and legacy systems often found in government environments. This includes strict adherence to 508 compliance.

• Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing diverse stakeholder needs and expectations within large government organizations.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical/Contractual Limitations: Finding elegant design solutions that are both user-centric and feasible within project scope, budget, and technology constraints.

• Adapting to New Tools & Methodologies: Continuously learning and integrating new design tools, techniques, and Steampunk's proprietary Design Intelligence™ framework.

• Remote vs. On-site Dynamics (if applicable): While this role is on-site, future roles or team members might have different arrangements, requiring effective communication strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Federal Sector UX Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for government clients, understanding their unique challenges and regulatory environments.

• Master Design Intelligence™: Become proficient in Steampunk's signature framework, potentially leading to advanced consulting roles.

• Expand Skillset: Opportunities to learn from specialists in service design, data science, and change management within cross-functional teams.

• Professional Development: Potential for training, certifications, and attendance at industry conferences related to UX/UI design, human-centered design, and government technology.

• Career Progression: Clear pathways towards Senior UX/UI Designer, Lead Designer, or management positions within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges will revolve around the unique context of federal government contracting, requiring adaptability and a strong understanding of compliance and stakeholder management. Growth opportunities are tied to mastering both design craft and the specialized consulting methodologies Steampunk employs.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex user experience challenge you faced on a government project and how you approached it using human-centered design principles. What was the outcome?"

• "How would you integrate UX research and design activities into a typical two-week Agile sprint? What artifacts would you produce and when?"

• "Explain your process for ensuring 508 compliance in your designs. What are the key considerations?"

• "Walk me through your portfolio piece that best demonstrates your ability to translate user needs into a functional and elegant UI. What was your specific role and the impact of your design?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Steampunk's 'Design Intelligence™' framework and our approach to federal contracting?"

• "How do you stay current with the latest UX/UI trends, tools, and best practices?"

• "Describe your experience collaborating with engineers, data scientists, and change managers. How do you ensure effective communication and alignment?"

• "What does 'Change Agent' mean to you in the context of federal contracting?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the user research conducted, key design decisions, the prototypes/designs, testing results, and the final impact.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Be ready to discuss your rationale behind design choices, why you selected specific tools or methodologies, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increased user satisfaction, reduced task completion time, improved conversion rates, adherence to compliance) to demonstrate the value of your work.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, research methods, and problem-solving approaches. Be honest about challenges and how you overcame them.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with team members and stakeholders throughout the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the entire UX/UI lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on user research, 508 compliance, Agile methodologies, and the ability to articulate design decisions and their impact, especially within the federal government context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with human-centered design, Agile methodologies, 508 compliance, and ideally, federal government clients or complex digital products. Select 2-3 strong case studies that best align with the role's requirements.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your 4+ years of relevant UX/UI experience, proficiency with required tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Suite, Zeplin), and experience with user research, prototyping, and Agile environments. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and project outcomes. Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and answer behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and client engagement. Research Steampunk's Design Intelligence™ framework.

• Company Research: Understand Steampunk's mission, values, and their role as a "Change Agent" in federal contracting. Familiarize yourself with the Design Intelligence™ process and the sectors they serve.

⚠️ 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.