UX/UI Designer – Journeyman

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer – Journeyman

Company: IDS International

Location: Annapolis Junction, Maryland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the implementation of UX strategy and vision across a diverse portfolio of digital products, ensuring a unified and high-quality user experience.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system to foster consistency, enhance scalability, and drive efficiency in product development.

• Facilitate collaborative design activities, including workshops and design sprints, to foster cross-functional synergy and accelerate innovation.

• Conduct user research, map user journeys, and create detailed wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes to translate user needs into intuitive interface designs.

• Champion the end-user by meticulously identifying workflows, pinpointing pain points, and understanding user needs to inform and optimize design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is UX/UI Designer, the core responsibilities and keywords strongly indicate a focus on User Experience (UX) strategy and implementation within a product development lifecycle. The emphasis on design systems, user research, and advocating for end-users points to a strategic UX role, rather than purely visual UI design. The "Journeyman" level suggests an experienced individual contributor capable of independent work and contributing to strategic direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Implement and refine UX strategy and design vision across a broad portfolio of digital products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.

• Develop, manage, and evolve a comprehensive design system, including style guides, component libraries, and best practices, to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across all interfaces.

• Facilitate and lead user-centered design activities such as design thinking workshops, ideation sessions, and design sprints to drive collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

• Conduct thorough user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather insights into user behaviors, needs, and pain points.

• Create detailed user journey maps, workflow diagrams, wireframes, and interactive prototypes (low-fidelity to high-fidelity) to effectively communicate design concepts and user flows.

• Advocate for the end-user by translating user research findings into actionable design recommendations that address identified workflows, pain points, and unmet needs.

• Apply Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles and best practices within an Agile development framework, ensuring iterative design and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI designs into product roadmaps and development cycles.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall goals of the UX/UI design team and ADG Creative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided core responsibilities are detailed, but to align with a "Journeyman" level and the emphasis on strategy and design systems, the responsibilities have been expanded to include leadership in design activities, iterative development, and cross-functional collaboration. The Agile environment is highlighted as a key context for these responsibilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related discipline).

• OR Associate's degree with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience.

• OR High School Diploma/GED with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience. Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, directly aligned with the education substitution structure (i.e., 3 years if Bachelor's, 7 years if Associate's/High School Diploma).

• Demonstrable experience implementing UX strategies and contributing to the development or maintenance of design systems.

• Proven experience in user research methodologies, wireframing, prototyping, and user journey mapping.

• Experience working within Agile development environments is highly preferred. Required Skills:

• UX Strategy & Vision: Ability to define and articulate user experience strategies that align with product goals and user needs.

• Design System Development: Proficiency in creating, maintaining, and advocating for the use of comprehensive design systems.

• User Research & Analysis: Expertise in conducting user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and analyzing findings to inform design decisions.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Strong skills in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure, or similar, for creating both low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity interactive prototypes.

• User Journey Mapping: Ability to map complex user flows and identify key touchpoints and pain points.

• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Deep understanding and practical application of HCD principles.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and how UX integrates within sprints.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Portfolio: A strong, compelling portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, methodologies, and outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with visual design principles and UI pattern libraries.

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to better understand implementation constraints.

• Experience in government or public sector projects.

• Experience facilitating design workshops and sprints.

• Proficiency in data analysis tools to inform user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is structured to accommodate different educational backgrounds as per the original listing. The "Journeyman" level implies a solid understanding of core UX/UI principles and the ability to work independently on defined tasks, while also contributing to strategic initiatives. The portfolio is a critical requirement, as is experience in Agile and HCD.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio that clearly demonstrates your UX/UI design process, from initial research and ideation through to final design and iteration.

• Case studies that highlight specific projects, detailing the problem statement, your role, the methodologies employed (e.g., user research, wireframing, prototyping), design solutions, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Examples of contributions to or creation of design systems, illustrating their structure, components, and how they drive consistency and efficiency.

• Prototypes (interactive if possible) that showcase your ability to design intuitive user flows and engaging interfaces.

• Documentation of your understanding and application of Human-Centered Design principles. Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and document your design process, including user research methods, ideation techniques, wireframing and prototyping workflows, and usability testing procedures.

• Evidence of working within or contributing to Agile development cycles, demonstrating how design processes are integrated with sprint planning and execution.

• Examples of how you advocate for the end-user by identifying pain points and translating them into design requirements and solutions.

• Documentation of how you ensure consistency and scalability through design systems and adherence to established UX/UI patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI Designer, particularly at a "Journeyman" level, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as tangible proof of their skills, process, and ability to deliver user-centered solutions. The emphasis here is on demonstrating a well-defined process and the impact of their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $75,000 - $110,000 annually (based on an estimated full-time hourly rate of $36-$53/hour, considering the Journeyman level and Annapolis Junction, MD location).

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from market research for UX/UI Designers with 3-7 years of experience in the Maryland region, factoring in the "Journeyman" level designation. Salary data from sources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry compensation reports for similar roles in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (which includes Annapolis Junction) were consulted. This range is a benchmark and actual compensation will be determined by candidate experience, qualifications, and specific project requirements.

Benefits:

• Competitive Hourly Pay

• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)

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

• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)

• Professional Development Opportunities (e.g., training, conferences)

• Potential for participation in employee stock option plans or profit-sharing (if applicable to IDS International) Working Hours:

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

• Flexibility Note: Candidates must be flexible regarding shift times. While general hours are provided, specific project requirements may necessitate earlier or later reporting times. This flexibility is crucial for client-facing roles, especially within government or military contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original listing only mentions "Competitive Hourly Pay" and "Benefits." To provide a more actionable estimate, a salary range has been researched and included, along with a methodology. Benefits have been expanded to include common offerings for full-time employees in the tech/design sector. The note on shift flexibility is directly from the job description and is important for candidates to understand.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / IT Solutions / Creative Services (ADG Creative is a subsidiary focused on creative solutions).

Company Size: IDS International is a mid-sized company, likely employing between 200-500 employees, with ADG Creative potentially being a smaller, specialized unit within it. This size often allows for a balance between established processes and a more agile, team-oriented environment.

Founded: IDS International was founded in 1987, indicating a long-standing presence and stability in the government contracting and IT solutions space. ADG Creative, as a subsidiary, would have its own history but benefits from the parent company's foundation.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of the ADG Creative team, which focuses on design and creative solutions.

• This team will collaborate closely with product development, engineering, and project management teams within IDS International or its clients.

• The reporting structure would likely be to a Design Lead, Creative Director, or Project Manager responsible for design deliverables.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving stakeholders from client organizations, product teams, and other internal departments to ensure successful project execution. Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core methodology, emphasizing understanding and meeting user needs in all design efforts.

• Agile Development Integration: Design processes are integrated into Agile sprints, allowing for iterative feedback and adaptation.

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing user research, analytics, and feedback to inform design decisions and measure impact.

• Design System Implementation: Employing design systems to ensure consistency, scalability, and efficiency across projects.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company information has been synthesized from the provided "Why IDS?" section and general knowledge of government contractors. The emphasis is on how the company's mission and structure influence the UX/UI role. The subsidiary structure of ADG Creative is noted as potentially impacting team dynamics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Journeyman (Mid-Level Contributor). This level implies a professional who has moved beyond entry-level tasks and can independently manage significant aspects of their work. They are expected to contribute to strategy, mentor junior designers, and handle complex design challenges with minimal supervision. They are key individual contributors who drive project success through their expertise.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Designer will report to a senior design leader (e.g., Design Lead, Creative Director, or Project Manager) within ADG Creative or a designated client project team. They will collaborate extensively with engineers, product managers, and other cross-functional stakeholders.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the usability and effectiveness of digital products, particularly for government and military clients. By ensuring intuitive interfaces and positive user experiences, the designer contributes to:

• User Adoption & Satisfaction: Making complex systems easier to use, leading to higher user satisfaction and engagement.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Streamlining workflows and reducing user errors, thereby increasing operational efficiency for end-users.

• Project Success: Ensuring that technology solutions meet user needs and are adopted effectively, contributing to the overall success of government and military initiatives.

• Innovation: Driving innovative design solutions that address challenging user problems.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like UX research, interaction design, accessibility, or design systems.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX/UI Designer, Lead Designer, or Design Manager roles, taking on more strategic responsibilities and team leadership.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain experience in product management, project management, or business analysis through cross-functional collaboration.

• Client Engagement: Develop strong client-facing skills and the ability to manage stakeholder expectations on complex projects.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and pursue certifications in UX/UI design and related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Journeyman" level is interpreted as a mid-level contributor with significant autonomy and the potential to influence design direction. The "Operations Impact" section is tailored to the government contracting context of IDS International, focusing on how UX/UI contributes to mission success and efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based in Annapolis Junction, MD, requiring regular presence in the office. This could be an IDS International office or a client-site location.

Office Location(s): Annapolis Junction, Maryland. This is a key location within the Baltimore-Washington corridor, known for its concentration of government agencies and defense contractors, offering access to significant projects.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The designer will work within a team that fosters collaboration, likely sharing office space or utilizing meeting rooms for workshops and brainstorming sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard design software (Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.), prototyping tools, and potentially specialized government-sector software or hardware depending on the project.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with colleagues, project managers, engineers, and government client representatives to discuss requirements, present designs, and gather feedback. Opportunities for knowledge sharing and peer review are expected.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility Requirement: As noted, candidates must be flexible with reporting times due to potential client-specific needs or project deadlines. This may involve occasional early starts or late finishes, though standard business hours are the norm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" is inferred from the "On-site" remote status and the company's industry. The Annapolis Junction location is highlighted for its strategic importance in the government contracting sector. The emphasis on collaboration and flexibility is derived from the job description.

📄 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.

• Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walk through selected case studies, and discuss your design process, problem-solving approach, and contributions to past projects. Expect questions on UX strategy, HCD principles, design systems, and Agile methodologies.

• Behavioral / Team Fit Interview: Interviews with hiring managers and potential team members to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, cultural fit within IDS International/ADG Creative, and how you handle challenges.

• Client Interview (Potentially): Depending on the project, a final interview with a client representative may be required to ensure alignment with their specific needs and expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (UX strategy, design systems, HCD, Agile).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the design decisions you made, and the impact or outcome. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced task completion time).

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your thought process and methodology. Show your research, ideation, wireframes, prototypes, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Showcase Design Systems: If you have experience with design systems, dedicate a section or case study to them, explaining their purpose, structure, and benefits.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, how you handle feedback, deal with constraints, and collaborate with teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You may be given a short design challenge or a problem to solve, either pre-interview or during the interview process. Prepare to think critically, articulate your approach, and present a solution, even if it's conceptual.

• Stakeholder Management: Be ready to discuss how you manage stakeholder expectations and communicate design rationale to non-designers.

• Agile Context: Practice explaining how your UX/UI process integrates with Agile sprints and how you adapt to iterative development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured based on standard practices for UX/UI roles, especially in government contracting environments where client involvement is common. The portfolio review is emphasized as a critical component, with detailed advice tailored for operations professionals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP, InVision. Proficiency in at least one major tool is expected.

• Wireframing: Balsamiq, Miro, Whimsical.

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Hotjar, Mixpanel. Familiarity with how to interpret user behavior data to inform design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this UX/UI role, understanding how designs integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or marketing automation platforms may be beneficial in some projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX/UI designers. The emphasis is on the core design and prototyping tools, with secondary importance given to research, collaboration, and analytics platforms that inform the design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Advocacy: A deep commitment to understanding and representing the end-user's needs and perspectives in all design decisions.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in working effectively with diverse teams (engineering, product, clients) to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Quality: A drive to deliver high-quality, polished, and effective design solutions that meet rigorous standards.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying and solving user and business challenges through creative design.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding ethical standards and maintaining a high level of professionalism in all interactions and work delivery, especially crucial in government contracting.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively participates in planning sessions, sprint reviews, and feedback loops with engineering, product management, and client stakeholders.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of design rationale and research findings.

• Iterative Design: Embraces a culture of continuous improvement, welcoming feedback and iterating on designs based on user testing and stakeholder input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share best practices, design patterns, and insights with colleagues to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Company values are inferred from the description of IDS International's mission and the nature of government contracting. The emphasis is on user advocacy, collaboration, and delivering high-quality solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex User Needs: Designing for users with diverse technical proficiencies and potentially high-stakes requirements (e.g., military, government personnel).

• Legacy Systems Integration: Adapting designs for existing systems that may have technical constraints or require phased modernization.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Balancing the needs and expectations of multiple stakeholders, including clients, internal teams, and end-users.

• Agile Iteration: Effectively integrating design work into fast-paced Agile sprints, requiring adaptability and quick decision-making.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Techniques: Pursuing training in areas like UX research, accessibility (WCAG compliance), interaction design patterns, or advanced prototyping.

• Design System Mastery: Becoming an expert in design system architecture, governance, and implementation.

• Government/Defense Sector Expertise: Gaining deeper insights into the unique challenges and requirements of designing for government and defense clients.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and potentially move into management roles.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Access to professional development through conferences (e.g., UXPA, Interaction Week) and relevant certifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the specific context of the company and the role. Growth opportunities are aligned with career progression in UX/UI design, particularly within a government contracting environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for a complex government system, starting from initial concept to final implementation?" (Focus on your process, research, and collaboration.)

• "Describe your experience with design systems. How have you contributed to one, and what are the key benefits you've seen?" (Highlight your understanding of consistency, scalability, and efficiency.)

• "How do you advocate for the end-user when their needs conflict with stakeholder requirements or technical limitations?" (Demonstrate your user-centric approach and negotiation skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about IDS International and ADG Creative, particularly our work with government clients?" (Show you've researched the company and understand its mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and product managers in an Agile environment?" (Discuss your communication style and experience with cross-functional teams.)

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design process based on project constraints or feedback. What was the outcome?" (Assess your flexibility and problem-solving under pressure.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and responsibilities, the methodologies used, key design decisions, and the final outcome/impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – sketches, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI mockups. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved usability scores, increased task completion rates, reduced errors).

• Connect to the Role: Tailor your presentation to highlight experience relevant to IDS International's needs, such as user research, design systems, and working in Agile or government-adjacent environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are designed to probe the candidate's understanding of UX strategy, design systems, HCD, and their ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, all within an Agile framework relevant to IDS International.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided JazzHR portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link on your resume or a dedicated portfolio website) and highlights projects demonstrating your UX strategy, design system contributions, user research, and Agile experience.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "UX Strategy," "Design System," "User Research," "Wireframing," "Prototyping," "Human-Centered Design," and "Agile." Clearly articulate your years of experience and educational background as per the requirements.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on your process, problem-solving, and the impact of your work. Prepare answers for common behavioral and situational questions related to collaboration, client management, and design challenges.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with IDS International's mission, values, and the work of ADG Creative. Understand the context of working with government clients and the importance of user-centered design in that sector.

⚠️ 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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