UX/UI Expert

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Expert Company: Nightwing Location: Sterling, VA, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience & Interface Design (within GTM Operations Support) Date Posted: May 18, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop intuitive, visually compelling, and highly functional digital experiences that optimize user usability and enhance overall user experience across organizational applications.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews and usability testing, to deeply understand user behavior, identify pain points, and inform design decisions.
• Translate complex data, technical requirements, and business goals into elegant, effective, and simplified user interfaces and interactive prototypes.
• Maintain and evolve design specifications, component libraries, and style guides to ensure consistency, accessibility, and a unified brand identity across all digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX/UI Expert," the description and requirements (especially the TS/SCI clearance and mention of data operations/intelligence) strongly suggest this role supports government/intelligence clients. The operations aspect lies in optimizing the user interface for complex systems and data visualization tools used in these sensitive environments, rather than traditional GTM sales/marketing operations. The focus is on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of users interacting with critical software and data platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create user-friendly designs that enhance usability and optimize the overall user experiences, identifying design challenges and proposing elegant, effective solutions.
• Develop innovative approaches to complex design problems, presenting ideas through mockups, presentations, and detailed design specifications.
• Conduct user research, interviews, and usability testing to understand user behavior and pain points, ensuring designs meet the specific needs of intelligence and defense professionals.
• Iterate on designs based on stakeholder feedback, evolving requirements, and the unique demands of government/intelligence applications.
• Create user flows, journey maps, wireframes, and prototypes that clearly communicate design concepts and interaction models for complex systems.
• Apply UX best practices to ensure accessibility, clarity, and ease of use for diverse user groups operating in high-stakes environments.
• Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes using industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Maintain and evolve design specifications, component libraries, and style guides to ensure brand consistency and a cohesive user experience across Nightwing's software portfolio.
• Audit and validate how data is presented in the UI, ensuring accuracy, compliance with policies, and consistency across dashboards and reporting tools.
• Identify, develop, and implement UX improvements that streamline reporting and analytic workflows for users within the intelligence community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize the application of UX/UI principles to complex, data-intensive systems common in government and intelligence sectors. The "operations" component is tied to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of users interacting with these systems, rather than direct GTM sales or marketing operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of expertise. Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a strong portfolio showcasing a range of digital design projects. Experience in complex, data-driven application design is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design.
• Proficiency in creating user flows, journey maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct user research, interviews, and usability testing.
• Expertise in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Strong understanding of UX best practices, including accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
• Ability to translate complex data and requirements into simple, usable interfaces.
• Excellent visual design skills, with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions effectively.
• TS/SCI with Polygraph Clearance required day 1.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for government, defense, or intelligence community clients.
• Familiarity with data visualization techniques and best practices for presenting complex data.
• Experience in developing and maintaining design systems, component libraries, and style guides.
• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and experience working within cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of software development lifecycle and how design integrates with engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph is a non-negotiable, critical requirement, significantly narrowing the candidate pool. The preferred skills highlight a desire for candidates with experience in highly regulated or sensitive environments, common in government contracting.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong understanding of UX/UI principles and their application in real-world projects.
• Case studies that illustrate the design process from initial concept and research through to final design and implementation, highlighting problem-solving approaches.
• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for complex applications.
• Evidence of user research methodologies employed and how insights informed design decisions.
• Demonstrations of how accessibility and usability best practices were integrated into designs.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how design specifications, component libraries, and style guides were developed, maintained, and utilized to ensure consistency.
• Provide insights into how design challenges were identified and how elegant, effective solutions were crafted.
• Illustrate experience in iterating on designs based on stakeholder feedback and evolving requirements within a project lifecycle.
• Demonstrate the ability to audit and validate data presentation within UIs for accuracy and policy compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX/UI role supporting government/intelligence, the portfolio should emphasize clarity, functionality, and adherence to strict requirements, rather than just aesthetic appeal. The ability to document and present a structured design process is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the 5-10 years of experience requirement, the on-site location in Sterling, VA (a high cost-of-living area with significant government contracting presence), and the mandatory TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance, the estimated salary range is highly competitive.

• Estimated Range: $130,000 - $180,000 annually.
• Methodology: This estimate is based on market research for senior UX/UI designers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, factoring in the premium for cleared professionals and the specialized nature of the work within the intelligence community. Data from sources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific government contracting salary surveys were considered.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive 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.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek of approximately 40 hours.
• The role is on-site, requiring presence at the Sterling, VA facility.
• While standard hours apply, occasional flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance significantly increases the market value of candidates, justifying a higher salary range than a comparable role without such requirements. Benefits are assumed to be competitive for a defense contractor.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology & Services, Cybersecurity, Government Contracting, Intelligence Support. Nightwing operates in a sector driven by national security, requiring a high degree of trust, discretion, and technical expertise. Company Size: The provided data does not specify, but Nightwing appears to be a significant player in its niche, suggesting a mid-sized to large organization with established processes and a robust infrastructure. Founded: The founding date is not provided.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Expert will likely be part of a larger engineering, software development, or mission support team.
• The team structure may involve reporting to a UX/UI Lead, a Project Manager, or an Engineering Director.
• Close collaboration is expected with software engineers, data scientists, product managers, and potentially government client representatives.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: Emphasis on data-driven design, using research findings and analytics to inform decisions.
• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Focus on streamlining user interactions and improving the efficiency of complex systems through thoughtful design.
• Automation & Efficiency: While not directly an automation role, the UX/UI design contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the technology and its users.

Company Website: nightwing.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely to be professional, security-conscious, and results-oriented, given its focus on national security and intelligence. Collaboration is highlighted as key, suggesting a team-oriented environment despite the sensitive nature of the work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a specialized senior individual contributor role, focusing on expert-level UX/UI design within a mission-critical context. It's not a traditional GTM operations role but contributes to the operational effectiveness of systems used by Nightwing's clients. Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Expert will likely report to a senior program manager, engineering lead, or a dedicated design manager. They will work closely with cross-functional teams including software developers, system architects, and potentially client stakeholders. Operations Impact: The role's impact is on the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of software and data platforms used by intelligence and defense personnel. By creating intuitive interfaces, the UX/UI Expert directly contributes to the operational success and mission accomplishment of Nightwing's clients, enhancing data analysis, reporting, and overall system adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in UX/UI for specialized domains (e.g., cybersecurity, intelligence data visualization).
• Leadership Potential: Move into a UX/UI Lead role, managing design projects or a small team of designers.
• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain a deeper understanding of software development, data science, and government contracting processes, opening doors to roles with broader scope.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior designers and contribute to the development of design best practices within Nightwing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth here is less about climbing a traditional sales operations ladder and more about becoming a subject matter expert in a critical, high-demand field within government contracting.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly on-site in Sterling, VA, at a facility located at 22270 Pacific Boulevard. This suggests a professional office environment, likely within a government contracting campus or a secure facility. Office Location(s): Building CC5, 22270 Pacific Boulevard, Sterling, VA, 20166-6924 USA. Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to interact with software engineers, project managers, and other technical professionals.
• Access to necessary design tools and technology will be provided.
• The environment will likely adhere to strict security protocols due to the nature of the work and client base.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours are expected, with potential for some flexibility to accommodate project deadlines, though the on-site requirement means fixed location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and the nature of the work imply a structured, secure, and professional office environment typical of government contractors.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, clearance status, and interest.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, design decisions, and problem-solving approaches. This will likely involve presenting case studies and answering technical UX/UI questions.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on team fit, understanding of the role's context within Nightwing's mission, and further technical validation.
• Client-Facing Interview (Potentially): Depending on the project, there might be an interview with direct client representatives.
• Final Offer: Based on successful completion of all stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those that showcase complex problem-solving, data visualization, or experience in similar domains.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions you developed, and the impact/results.
• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design methodology, research techniques, and how you translated user needs and technical constraints into effective designs.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, reduced errors).
• Address Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you worked within any technical, security, or budgetary limitations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you approach understanding complex requirements and translating them into user-friendly interfaces.
• Prepare to articulate your design philosophy and how you ensure accessibility and usability.
• Anticipate questions about how you handle stakeholder feedback and design critiques.
• Practice presenting your portfolio clearly and concisely, focusing on your contributions and the outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a TS/SCI clearance means candidates must be prepared to discuss their clearance status early and often. The portfolio review will be critical, serving as the primary means to assess technical and problem-solving capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (Proficiency in at least one is essential).
• Wireframing & Flow Tools: Balsamiq, Miro, Lucidchart (or similar).
• Collaboration Platforms: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams (for project management and team communication).
• Version Control (for Design Systems): Potentially Git or similar principles applied to design asset management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to design for effective data visualization and reporting is key. Familiarity with tools that consume data from sources like SQL databases or data lakes would be beneficial.
• Experience designing dashboards and reporting interfaces.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core functions, as it's not a GTM operations role. However, understanding how user interfaces integrate with backend systems and workflows is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard UX/UI design tools is paramount. The ability to design for data-heavy applications is a significant plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Security & Integrity: Paramount, given the nature of the work and client base. Adherence to protocols and discretion are vital.
• Excellence & Innovation: Striving for high-quality solutions and bringing creative approaches to complex challenges is expected.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse technical teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user to enhance mission effectiveness.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to evolving requirements and project needs in a dynamic environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work closely with developers, project managers, and potentially government clients.
• Open communication, constructive feedback, and a willingness to share knowledge are likely encouraged.
• The team likely operates with a sense of shared purpose and responsibility towards successful mission outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on cybersecurity and intelligence implies a culture that values precision, accountability, and a strong sense of mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Requirements & Data: Designing intuitive interfaces for highly complex systems and vast amounts of data within the intelligence domain.
• Security Constraints: Navigating strict security protocols and compliance requirements that may influence design choices.
• Stakeholder Management: Balancing the needs and feedback of various stakeholders, including technical teams and potentially government clients with diverse priorities.
• Rapidly Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with advancements in UX/UI tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies relevant to cybersecurity and intelligence.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to attend industry conferences (e.g., UX, cybersecurity, intelligence technology) and pursue certifications.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced professionals within Nightwing and potentially government client organizations.
• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Projects: Working on projects that utilize advanced technologies and address critical national security challenges.
• Skill Expansion: Developing expertise in areas such as data visualization, human factors engineering, and UX research for specialized applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the specialized nature of the work, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. Growth opportunities are centered on deepening domain expertise and technical skill.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design an interface for a complex data set. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your methodical approach, problem-solving, and user-centricity).
• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and compliant with relevant standards, especially for sensitive applications?" (Highlight your knowledge of accessibility guidelines and your process for validation).
• "Walk us through a project where you received significant stakeholder feedback that led to design changes. How did you manage that process?" (Demonstrate your communication, collaboration, and adaptability).
• "Given our focus on cybersecurity and intelligence, what specific UX/UI considerations do you believe are most critical for our users?" (Show you've researched the company and understand the domain's unique demands).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Nightwing and our mission in cybersecurity and intelligence?" (Research the company's services, values, and recent news).
• "How do you approach collaboration with software engineers and product managers, especially when design requirements conflict with technical feasibility?" (Focus on teamwork, compromise, and finding optimal solutions).
• "Describe your understanding of the security protocols and considerations relevant to working with classified information or systems." (Be honest about your experience and willingness to adhere to strict protocols).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly define the Problem, Your Role, Process, Solution, and Results.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, and interactive prototypes. Ensure they are easy to view and understand.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about your design journey and the impact of your work.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe (usually 15-30 minutes).
• Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions and technical choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your TS/SCI clearance status and suitability for working in a secure government contracting environment. Emphasize your ability to handle complex, sensitive information and translate it into user-friendly designs.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Expert position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Nightwing careers portal.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with UX/UI design, user research, prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), and any experience with data visualization or government/intelligence projects. Ensure your TS/SCI clearance status is clearly stated.
• Prepare your portfolio: Curate your best work, focusing on case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, design process, and ability to create user-friendly interfaces for complex applications. Ensure it's easily accessible online.
• Research Nightwing: Understand their mission, services, and the types of clients they serve. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
• Practice your presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering common UX/UI interview questions, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and highlighting your impact.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding clearance requirements and specific compensation, should be verified directly with Nightwing's hiring team. Ensure your clearance status is current and transferable.