UX/UI Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Engineer

Company: The MITRE Corporation

Location: McLean, Virginia; Bedford, Massachusetts; Colorado Springs, Colorado

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/UI Engineering

Date Posted: July 24, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 50% on-site)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop user-centered software solutions and intuitive interfaces for government-facing technologies, supporting critical national missions.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including human factors engineers, UX designers, researchers, and stakeholders, to translate user insights into effective, scalable, and accessible solutions.

• Apply and expand expertise in UX, UI, front-end engineering, and human-machine teaming within a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

• Advocate for the end-user by ensuring user-centered design principles are integrated throughout the software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment.

• Develop and maintain design systems, UI standards, and reusable front-end components to ensure consistency, accessibility, and scalability across applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within MITRE's Software Engineering Innovation Center, emphasizing the development of human-centered, user-focused computing capabilities. The focus on "sponsors' unique challenges" and "mission needs" indicates a strong emphasis on applying UX/UI principles to solve complex, real-world problems within the public sector and national security domains, rather than purely commercial product development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with human factors engineers, UX designers, researchers, project leaders, and sponsors to design and develop user-centered software solutions using modern front-end technologies and engineering best practices.

• Advocate for the end-user, ensuring user-centered design principles are consistently applied throughout the software development cycle, including requirements gathering, design, development, and testing.

• Provide technical guidance to MITRE teams and sponsors, analyzing software implementation, architecture, and application performance to ensure optimal user experience and mission outcomes.

• Design and develop user interfaces for software and web applications, incorporating user research, usability testing, and stakeholder feedback to improve user effectiveness and mission outcomes.

• Lead portions of UX and front-end development efforts, ensuring solutions are maintainable, accessible (WCAG, Section 508), scalable, and aligned with project objectives and sponsor requirements.

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers on UX engineering, front-end development, and user-centered design best practices, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development.

• Develop wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to effectively communicate design ideas and user flows, while collaborating with cross-functional teams, including software engineers and product managers, to ensure our products meet user needs and project goals.

• Develop and maintain design systems, UI standards, and reusable front-end components that promote consistency, accessibility, and scalability across applications, enhancing developer efficiency and user experience.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend approaches that improve user experience, operational efficiency, and mission effectiveness for government-facing systems.

• Present design recommendations and technical solutions to project teams, sponsors, and leadership, clearly articulating the rationale and impact of proposed UX/UI strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design and development with technical leadership and mentorship. The emphasis on "sponsors" and "mission outcomes" suggests that success will be measured not only by aesthetic design but also by the tangible impact on user effectiveness and the achievement of critical national objectives. The requirement to "lead portions of UX and front-end development efforts" indicates an expectation of initiative and ownership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Human-Centered Engineering, UX/UI, or a related technical field.

• Advanced degrees (e.g., Master's, PhD) in relevant technical disciplines are preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 4+ years of related professional experience in UX/UI engineering, front-end development, or a closely related field.

• Experience applying modern software engineering practices, including Git-based source control, peer code reviews, Agile development methodologies, automated testing, and CI/CD workflows.

• Demonstrated experience in user-centered design principles and their application throughout the software development lifecycle. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern web application development using JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, and CSS.

• Experience with contemporary front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue, or similar technologies.

• Proven experience developing accessible web applications that align with WCAG and Section 508 accessibility standards.

• Demonstrated proficiency using UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or equivalent platforms.

• Demonstrated portfolio or the ability to showcase UX design work, highlighting creativity and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to evaluate, learn, and apply new technologies to solve complex technical challenges.

• Strong communication skills for articulating technical concepts, design rationale, and implementation approaches to multidisciplinary teams, sponsors, and stakeholders.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

• A strong desire to contribute to solving critical national challenges. Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting usability studies, contextual inquiry, user interviews, or other human-centered design activities.

• Experience applying human-centered design principles to AI-enabled systems, decision-support tools, or mission-critical systems.

• Experience developing and maintaining design systems or component libraries.

• Strong interpersonal skills, coupled with excellent verbal and written communication abilities.

• An entrepreneurial and innovative spirit with a curiosity to explore and push the boundaries of software development and solutions.

• Active security clearance (or eligibility to obtain one).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Basic Qualifications" emphasize practical, hands-on experience with modern web technologies and accessibility standards. The "Preferred Qualifications" point towards candidates with deeper expertise in research methodologies, advanced system applications (AI, mission-critical), and a proactive, innovative mindset, aligning with MITRE's R&D focus. The explicit mention of a portfolio requirement is critical for operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design and front-end development projects is essential. This should demonstrate your ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive and effective user interfaces.

• Projects should highlight your end-to-end involvement, from initial concept and user research to final implementation and iteration, reflecting a deep understanding of the user-centered design process.

• The portfolio should clearly articulate the problem statement, your role, the design process, the technologies used, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Include examples of wireframes, mockups, interactive prototypes, and live web applications, with a particular emphasis on accessibility compliance (WCAG, Section 508).

• Demonstrate proficiency with design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) and front-end development frameworks (React, Angular, Vue). Process Documentation:

• Evidence of applying modern software engineering practices, such as Git-based source control, peer code reviews, and Agile development methodologies, should be apparent in project descriptions or case studies.

• Showcase experience with automated testing and CI/CD workflows, demonstrating an understanding of efficient and reliable software delivery pipelines.

• Projects should reflect an ability to develop and maintain design systems, UI standards, and reusable front-end components, illustrating a commitment to consistency, scalability, and maintainability.

• Examples of how user research, usability testing, and stakeholder feedback were incorporated into the design and development process are highly valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI Engineer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as tangible proof of skills, process, and impact. The emphasis here is on demonstrating not just aesthetic design but also the practical application of engineering best practices, accessibility, and a structured, iterative design process relevant to complex software development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The provided salary compensation range is $129,200 - $193,800 annually. The midpoint is $161,500. This range is competitive for a UX/UI Engineer role with the specified experience level and location in the US.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package, as detailed on the MITRE careers website.

• Exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, including training, certifications, and advanced degree support.

• Opportunities for career advancement within a not-for-profit organization focused on public interest and national impact.

• A culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, and technical excellence.

• Potential for involvement in diverse projects spanning cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically involving 40 hours per week.

• The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of 50% of working hours to be spent on-site at one of the designated MITRE locations (McLean, VA; Bedford, MA; Colorado Springs, CO). This hybrid model balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is specific to the US market and reflects the mid-level experience requirement. The benefits mentioned are standard for a large, established organization like MITRE and are particularly attractive for professionals focused on long-term career development and impactful work. The hybrid work arrangement is clearly defined with a minimum on-site commitment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology R&D, Government Contracting, Not-for-Profit. MITRE operates federally funded R&D centers (FFRDCs) for the U.S. government. This unique position means the company is mission-driven, focused on public interest without commercial conflicts, and tackles complex national challenges.

Company Size: MITRE is a large organization, employing a significant number of individuals (exact number not specified, but implied to be substantial given its FFRDC status and multiple locations). This size offers stability, diverse project opportunities, and a structured professional environment.

Founded: MITRE was founded in 1958. Its long history as an FFRDC operator signifies deep expertise and a stable foundation for its mission-oriented work.

Team Structure:

• The department operates within the Software Engineering Innovation Center, suggesting a focus on cutting-edge software development and integration.

• The UX/UI Engineer will be part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with human factors engineers, UX designers, researchers, project leaders, and sponsors. This indicates a highly collaborative and cross-functional team environment.

• The role involves engaging directly with sponsors and stakeholders, implying a need for strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Mentorship is expected, with senior engineers guiding less experienced team members, fostering a learning-oriented team dynamic. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The team emphasizes understanding user insights and translating them into design solutions. This involves leveraging user research and feedback.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role focuses on designing and developing user-centered software solutions, implying a structured approach to workflow design and optimization to ensure usability and efficiency.

• Automation & Efficiency Practices: The development of reusable components, design systems, and modern front-end practices (CI/CD, automated testing) points to a commitment to automation and efficiency in the software development lifecycle.

Company Website: https://careers.mitre.org/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: MITRE's status as a not-for-profit FFRDC operator is a key differentiator. This means the work is impactful and mission-focused rather than profit-driven. The culture likely emphasizes technical excellence, problem-solving, and public service. The team structure promotes collaboration across diverse disciplines.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX/UI Engineer. It requires foundational experience (4+ years) and the ability to "lead portions of UX and front-end development efforts" and mentor junior engineers. This level signifies an individual contributor who can operate with significant autonomy on defined tasks and contribute to strategic design discussions.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role reports to a department that is part of the Software Engineering Innovation Center. The UX/UI Engineer will also collaborate closely with project leaders and sponsors, indicating a matrixed reporting or strong stakeholder engagement structure.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Engineer's impact is directly tied to improving the user experience of government-facing technologies. This translates to enhanced operational efficiency, increased safety, improved accessibility, and ultimately, more effective mission outcomes for critical national initiatives. The role bridges the gap between user needs and technological solutions, driving tangible improvements in how users interact with complex systems.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific front-end frameworks, advanced UX research methodologies, accessibility standards, and human-machine teaming. The role encourages learning and applying emerging technologies.

• Industry Specialization: Develop specialized knowledge in UX/UI for mission-critical systems, AI-enabled applications, or specific government sectors (e.g., defense, healthcare, aviation).

• Leadership & Mentorship: Progress to a Senior UX/UI Engineer role, taking on more complex projects, leading larger design initiatives, and providing more extensive mentorship and technical guidance. Opportunities for technical leadership within projects and potentially management roles may exist for high performers.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain exposure to human factors engineering, software architecture, and broader system engineering principles, broadening the scope of influence and career options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path at MITRE is likely focused on technical depth and mission impact rather than purely commercial product lifecycle management. Growth opportunities are geared towards becoming a subject matter expert and influential contributor within specific technical domains or mission areas.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment. This means the role is not fully remote and requires a significant on-site presence.

Office Location(s): The position is available in three primary MITRE locations:

• McLean, Virginia

• Bedford, Massachusetts

• Colorado Springs, Colorado

Candidates are expected to work on-site at one of these locations for at least 50% of their working hours.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: MITRE fosters a culture of collaboration, so expect opportunities to work closely with diverse teams through workshops, design reviews, and iterative feedback sessions.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to modern front-end development tools, UX design software (Figma, etc.), and potentially advanced R&D environments for experimentation.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with engineers, designers, researchers, project leads, and direct engagement with sponsors and stakeholders to ensure alignment and gather feedback.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule (typically 40 hours/week).

• The hybrid model allows for flexibility in balancing on-site and remote work, but the minimum 50% on-site requirement ensures consistent team collaboration and access to on-site resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this role is a key consideration. Candidates must be willing and able to commute to one of the specified MITRE locations for at least half of their work week. This setup is designed to facilitate in-person collaboration while offering some flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Screening: Initial review of applications, focusing on resume and portfolio.

Candidates with strong alignment to basic qualifications and exceptional portfolios will be prioritized.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect interviews with hiring managers and senior team members. These will likely include:

  • Portfolio Review & Discussion: A deep dive into your submitted portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 of your best projects, explaining your process, design decisions, technical implementation, and the impact of your work.
  • Technical Skills Assessment: Questions related to JavaScript, front-end frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508), and UX/UI principles.
  • Problem-Solving Scenarios: Hypothetical design or front-end development challenges to assess your approach and critical thinking.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Questions designed to assess your collaboration style, problem-solving approach, ability to work independently and in teams, and your motivation for working at MITRE and on national missions.

• Final Interview/Offer: May involve a final discussion with leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best represent your skills in UX/UI design, front-end development, accessibility, and problem-solving relevant to MITRE's mission.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the user-centered design process followed, key design decisions and their rationale, technical implementation details, and measurable outcomes or lessons learned.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved task completion time by X%", "reduced error rates by Y%", "achieved 100% WCAG AA compliance").

• Showcase Process: Don't just show final screens; include wireframes, user flows, personas, usability testing feedback, and code snippets (if applicable) to demonstrate your methodology.

• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly call out how you incorporated accessibility standards (WCAG, Section 508) into your designs and development.

• Tailor to MITRE: If possible, align your project examples with the types of challenges MITRE addresses (e.g., complex systems, government interfaces, mission-critical applications).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenges: Be ready to tackle a design problem on the spot or as a take-home assignment. Focus on understanding the constraints, user needs, and delivering a well-reasoned solution.

• Front-End Coding: Prepare for coding exercises that test your proficiency in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and your chosen framework (React, Angular, Vue). Expect tasks related to building UI components, implementing functionality, or optimizing code.

• Accessibility Implementation: Be ready to discuss how to make a given component or design accessible.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, both verbally and visually.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at MITRE, especially for technical roles, heavily emphasizes a portfolio review. Candidates must be prepared to present and defend their work, showcasing not only design talent but also engineering rigor and an understanding of user-centered methodologies in complex environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch (proficiency in at least one is required).

• Front-End Development: JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript, HTML5, CSS3.

• Front-End Frameworks: React, Angular, Vue.js (experience with at least one is required, familiarity with others is a plus).

• Version Control: Git (including Git-based source control, branch management, pull requests).

• Build Tools & Module Bundlers: Webpack, Parcel, Vite (familiarity is beneficial).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for this role, awareness of how UX/UI impacts user analytics and performance metrics is valuable. Understanding tools for A/B testing, user session recording, and general web analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) can be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core UX/UI engineering tasks, but understanding how front-end applications integrate with back-end systems and data sources is crucial. Familiarity with API concepts (REST, GraphQL) is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and aligned with current industry standards for front-end development and UX/UI design. Proficiency in core web technologies and at least one major JavaScript framework is non-negotiable. The emphasis on accessibility tools and standards is also a critical component.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A strong commitment to high-quality engineering, best practices, and delivering robust, well-designed solutions.

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: An environment that encourages exploring new technologies, methodologies, and approaches to problem-solving.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively with diverse teams, sponsors, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• User-Centered Design: A deep dedication to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user, ensuring solutions are intuitive, effective, and accessible.

• Impact & Mission Focus: A shared purpose of making a tangible difference in critical national challenges, driving meaningful outcomes for the public good.

• Adaptability & Innovation: Embracing change, exploring creative solutions, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with engineers, researchers, and domain experts, requiring clear communication and the ability to bridge different technical perspectives.

• Iterative Feedback: The process involves frequent design reviews, stakeholder workshops, and incorporating feedback to refine solutions. This requires openness to constructive criticism and a proactive approach to communication.

• Knowledge Sharing: The mentor/mentee structure and the emphasis on continuous learning suggest a culture where knowledge is shared openly, and team members support each other's growth.

• Data-Driven Decisions: While not explicitly stated for UX/UI, MITRE's overall ethos often leans towards data-informed decision-making, suggesting that design choices should be backed by research and user insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: MITRE's culture is shaped by its mission as a public-interest R&D organization. Values like technical excellence, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose are likely to be prominent, encouraging professionals to contribute to significant national challenges.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Requirements: Adapting highly technical or abstract government/mission requirements into intuitive user interfaces requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Ensuring solutions are both user-friendly and technically feasible within project timelines and budget constraints.

• Navigating Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively managing diverse stakeholder needs and feedback, often in complex organizational structures.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Technologies: The rapid advancement of front-end technologies and UX methodologies requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Ensuring Accessibility Across Diverse Systems: Designing for accessibility (WCAG, Section 508) in various government systems, which may have legacy components or unique operational contexts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to gain deep expertise in specific front-end frameworks, advanced UX research methods, design system architecture, and human-machine teaming principles.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant conferences (e.g., UXPA, AIGA, JSConf) and pursuing certifications in UX design, front-end development, or accessibility.

• Operations Mentorship & Leadership: Structured mentorship programs and opportunities to lead design initiatives, mentor junior colleagues, and contribute to strategic technical direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working alongside experts in cybersecurity, AI, data science, and other fields, broadening your understanding of complex systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role stem from the complexity of MITRE's mission-driven work and the evolving nature of technology. Growth opportunities are geared towards deep technical expertise and leadership within specialized domains.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "How would you approach designing a user interface for a mission-critical system where real-time data accuracy and user trust are paramount?" (Prepare to discuss your process, key considerations for high-stakes interfaces, and how you'd validate design choices.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to reconcile conflicting design feedback from different stakeholders. How did you reach a consensus and ensure the best user outcome?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and user advocacy.)

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine you're tasked with redesigning a complex legacy system's interface. What are your first steps, and how would you prioritize improvements?" (Discuss user research, phased rollouts, and iterative design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Operations Culture: "What interests you about working for a not-for-profit FFRDC like MITRE, and how do you see your UX/UI skills contributing to national missions?" (Research MITRE's mission and values, and connect your aspirations to their goals.)

• Operations Team Dynamics: "How do you best collaborate with software engineers and human factors researchers? What's your ideal team dynamic for a UX/UI project?" (Emphasize your ability to work cross-functionally and your understanding of different roles.)

• Operations Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UX/UI designs? What metrics do you typically track, and how do you present this data to stakeholders?" (Discuss KPIs like task completion rates, error reduction, user satisfaction, and accessibility compliance.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation like a story: problem, your solution, your process, and the outcome.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear, high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, code examples) to illustrate your points. Highlight key design decisions and their rationale.

• Focus on Process: Explain why you made certain design choices, not just what you designed. Detail your research, ideation, testing, and iteration phases.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present metrics demonstrating the success or impact of your work.

• Accessibility Demonstration: Be prepared to specifically discuss how accessibility was addressed in your projects.

• Engagement: Be ready to answer questions about your work and engage in a discussion about potential improvements or alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical proficiency but also a strong understanding of the user-centered design process, problem-solving capabilities, and a genuine interest in MITRE's mission. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Engineer position:

• Submit Your Application: Use the provided link on the MITRE careers website. Ensure your resume is up-to-date and tailored to the role.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX/UI design and front-end development projects that best showcase your skills and experience relevant to this role. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., personal website, PDF, portfolio platform).

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "UX/UI Engineering," "Front-end Development," "JavaScript," specific frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), "Accessibility" (WCAG, Section 508), and "Figma." Quantify your achievements with metrics where possible.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on your process, design decisions, technical implementation, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to accessibility and user advocacy.

• Research MITRE: Understand MITRE's mission, values, and the types of challenges they tackle. Be prepared to articulate why you are interested in working for a not-for-profit FFRDC and how your skills align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.