UX/UI Subject Matter Expert (Remote)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Subject Matter Expert

Company: Govcio LLC

Location: United States (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience & Interface Design / Government Contracting Operations

Date Posted: August 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) strategy and design efforts for federal digital platforms, ensuring user-centricity and mission alignment.

• Conduct comprehensive user research, usability testing, and stakeholder interviews to gather insights and inform design decisions for complex government systems.

• Develop detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user flows using industry-standard design tools to visualize and iterate on design concepts.

• Ensure all digital platforms meet stringent federal accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG compliance, promoting inclusive design practices.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and federal stakeholders, to translate requirements into effective and compliant user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title suggests a focus on UX/UI design, the description emphasizes the "Subject Matter Expert" aspect and the need to document business processes for conversion into automated technology solutions. This implies a strong operational component, bridging design with process optimization and implementation, particularly within the government contracting sector. The role requires not just design skills but also an understanding of how user experience impacts operational efficiency and technology adoption in a federal context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of UX/UI design across a portfolio of federal digital platforms, aligning user needs with government objectives.

• Execute end-to-end user research methodologies, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing with diverse federal stakeholders and end-users.

• Translate user research findings and business requirements into intuitive wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed user flows using tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Axure, or Sketch.

• Champion accessibility compliance by ensuring all designs adhere to Section 508, WCAG 2.1, and inclusive design principles.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with development teams, product managers, and federal clients to ensure seamless integration of UX/UI designs with technical specifications and mission requirements.

• Provide expert consultation and guidance on UX best practices, human-centered design (HCD) methodologies, and emerging design trends relevant to government applications.

• Define and structure information architecture to create logical content hierarchies and navigation systems that support user goals and federal mission objectives.

• Apply visual design principles to create clean, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing interfaces that enhance user engagement and task completion.

• Develop comprehensive design documentation, including user journey maps, personas, and style guides, that meet federal standards and audit requirements.

• Create manual test scripts or user guides for the ServiceNow platform, leveraging understanding of its functionalities from a user perspective.

• Understand front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to effectively communicate design intent and feasibility to development teams.

• Actively participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, contributing design expertise within iterative development cycles and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Effectively communicate complex design concepts and user insights to federal clients, developers, and program managers.

• Analyze and address user needs within legacy systems, proposing and designing modern solutions that improve efficiency and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution, with a strong emphasis on translating business processes and user needs into actionable design specifications for development teams. The mention of documenting business processes and personas for "cards in Jira" points towards a workflow optimization and agile development integration aspect of the role, crucial for operations professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

• Alternatively, 4 years of additional relevant IT experience can substitute for a Bachelor's degree. Experience:

• 5-8 years of comprehensive experience in Information Technology (IT).

• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on UX/UI design experience, preferably within government contracting environments.

• Demonstrated experience in converting complex business processes into clear, usable diagrams and documenting personas for application development teams, particularly for agile workflows and Jira card creation. Required Skills:

• Expertise in user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

• Proficiency in creating wireframes, prototypes, and user flows using design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Axure, Sketch, or Balsamiq.

• Deep understanding of federal accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 compliance.

• Familiarity with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and its implementation guidelines.

• Knowledge of Human-Centered Design (HCD) processes, as advocated by agencies like GSA and 18F.

• Experience working within FedRAMP environments and understanding secure design principles.

• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools: Jira, Confluence, and ServiceNow.

• Understanding of front-end development principles, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to facilitate collaboration with developers.

• Experience in Agile/Scrum methodologies and working within iterative development cycles.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts to diverse audiences.

• Ability to navigate and design for legacy systems and complex user needs. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with legacy system modernization projects.

• Background in cognitive psychology or behavioral science, offering deeper insights into user behavior.

• Relevant professional certifications, such as Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) or Human Factors International (HFI) certifications.

• Experience with ServiceNow platform capabilities beyond basic familiarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for experience in converting business processes into diagrams with personas for application development teams, specifically for Jira cards, strongly indicates that this role involves more than just front-end design. It touches upon the operational aspects of product development, where understanding workflows and translating them into actionable development tasks is critical for efficiency and project management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive UX/UI design projects, ideally with a focus on federal or complex enterprise applications.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, user research methodologies employed, design process, key design decisions, and the final solution.

• Demonstrate proficiency in using design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Axure, Sketch) by including examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Highlight specific examples of how you translated business process documentation and user personas into functional design specifications for development teams, particularly for agile sprints.

• Include case studies that illustrate your experience with accessibility compliance (Section 508, WCAG) and adherence to standards like USWDS.

• Quantify the impact of your design solutions where possible, using metrics related to usability improvements, user satisfaction, or efficiency gains. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented business processes and user personas to facilitate application development, especially within an agile framework (e.g., user stories, process flow diagrams).

• Showcase your ability to create clear and concise user guides or test scripts for platforms like ServiceNow.

• Demonstrate understanding of how design documentation integrates with development workflows, such as Jira or Confluence, for tracking and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on documenting business processes and personas for application development teams, and integrating this into agile workflows (Jira cards), makes a strong case for including process mapping and workflow analysis examples in the portfolio. This goes beyond typical UX portfolios and requires demonstrating an understanding of the operational pipeline from concept to development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• USD $81,850.00 - USD $111,000.00 / Year. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

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

• Professional development opportunities, including training, certifications, and conference attendance relevant to UX/UI and government contracting.

• Remote work stipend or support for home office setup.

• Opportunities for career advancement within Govcio LLC, particularly in leadership roles within design and operations.

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

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours.

• Flexibility in scheduling may be available, allowing for work-life balance, especially given the remote nature of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and falls within typical market rates for a Subject Matter Expert in UX/UI design with 5-10 years of experience, especially within the government contracting sector in the United States. The benefits listed are standard for full-time roles in this industry and location.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Government Contracting. GovCIO LLC operates at the intersection of technology solutions and federal government services, focusing on modernizing IT infrastructure and digital services for public sector clients. This context requires a strong adherence to compliance, security, and mission-driven objectives.

Company Size: GovCIO is a significant player in the government IT sector, likely employing several hundred to a few thousand employees. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also offers opportunities for individual impact and growth.

Founded: GovCIO was founded in 2005. Its history in the government contracting space means it has evolved with federal IT modernization initiatives and understands the nuances of working with government agencies.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Subject Matter Expert will likely be part of a broader Digital Services or Solutions team, potentially reporting to a Director of UX/UI, a Product Management Lead, or a program manager overseeing federal contracts.

• The team structure is expected to be cross-functional, including developers, business analysts, project managers, and potentially cybersecurity specialists, all collaborating to deliver integrated solutions.

• Collaboration with federal client teams is a key aspect, requiring the ability to integrate into client organizational structures and workflows. Methodology:

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

• Agile Development: Operates within iterative development cycles, focusing on rapid prototyping, continuous feedback, and adaptability to changing requirements.

• Process Optimization: Focuses on streamlining workflows, improving user efficiency, and translating complex business needs into streamlined technological solutions.

• Compliance and Security: Adheres to strict federal regulations, accessibility standards, and security protocols inherent in government contracting.

Company Website: https://careers.govcio.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on government contracting implies a culture that values reliability, security, compliance, and a deep understanding of public sector needs. For a UX/UI SME, this means balancing user needs with stringent governmental requirements and operational constraints.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), indicating a senior-level position. It requires deep specialized knowledge and the ability to guide others, acting as a go-to resource for UX/UI design within the federal contracting domain. The role involves strategic input and influence over design direction and process implementation.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI SME will likely report to a senior leader within the Digital Services, Product, or Program Management departments. This structure allows for strategic alignment and visibility with project leadership and client stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI SME's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and adoption of critical digital platforms used by federal agencies. By translating complex business processes into intuitive interfaces, they enhance operational effectiveness, improve user productivity, and contribute to successful mission outcomes for government clients. Their ability to document and streamline processes also has a direct operational benefit for development teams.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into Lead UX/UI Designer, UX/UI Manager, or Director of Digital Services roles, overseeing teams and larger strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility, HCD for government, or specific platforms like ServiceNow, becoming a highly sought-after specialist.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain experience in program management, business analysis, or product ownership by collaborating closely with these functions.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop strong client-facing skills, leading to roles with increased client interaction and strategic advisory responsibilities.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to building the company's internal UX/UI capabilities and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The SME designation and the requirement to document business processes for development teams indicate a role that bridges design with operational efficiency. Growth opportunities would likely involve leading teams that manage these operational aspects of design and development within government projects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position within the United States, offering a high degree of autonomy and flexibility. The "office" will be the candidate's home workspace.

Office Location(s): Remote within the United States. This allows candidates from various geographical locations to apply, provided they meet any specific state employment requirements if applicable.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomy: Candidates will manage their own work environment, requiring self-discipline and effective time management.

• Technology Focus: Access to and proficiency with collaboration tools (Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow) and design software are essential, often provided or supported by the company.

• Collaboration: While remote, the role necessitates frequent virtual collaboration through video conferencing, instant messaging, and shared digital workspaces. This requires strong digital communication skills.

• Federal Environment: Work will involve interacting with government clients and understanding their operational environments, which may include specific security protocols or legacy systems.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While remote, adherence to core working hours for team collaboration and client meetings will be expected. Some flexibility may be possible, accommodating different time zones for distributed teams and client interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a fully remote role, the emphasis is on asynchronous and synchronous digital communication. The candidate's ability to maintain productivity and collaborate effectively within a virtual, government-focused environment is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and resumes, focusing on experience with UX/UI, government contracting, and key tools.

• Technical Interview: Expect a discussion with UX/UI leads or senior designers covering your design philosophy, problem-solving approach, and technical skills.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study: A critical stage where you will present your portfolio, walk through selected projects, and potentially discuss how you would approach a specific design challenge or process documentation task relevant to federal applications. Be prepared to discuss your process of converting business requirements into design and development artifacts.

• Stakeholder/Client Interview: An opportunity to meet with program managers, federal client representatives, or cross-functional team leads to assess communication skills, cultural fit, and understanding of government project dynamics.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit within Govcio LLC.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process & Operations: Beyond showcasing final designs, emphasize your process – how you conducted research, iterated on designs, and importantly, how you documented business processes and personas for development teams (e.g., for Jira).

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs or process improvements. Metrics on usability, efficiency, or stakeholder satisfaction are highly valuable.

• Federal Context: Tailor your presentation to showcase experience with federal standards (Section 508, USWDS) and understanding of government contracting environments.

• Tool Proficiency: Clearly demonstrate your command of required design tools (Figma, Adobe XD, etc.) and collaboration platforms (Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow).

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives – the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Mapping: Be ready to discuss or diagram how you would approach documenting a hypothetical business process for a federal application.

• Accessibility Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you ensure accessibility compliance in your designs.

• Tool Application: Anticipate questions about how you'd use Jira, Confluence, or ServiceNow for design collaboration and documentation.

• Client Communication: Practice articulating design decisions and trade-offs to non-design stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on documenting business processes for development teams means that interviewers will be looking for evidence of how candidates bridge the gap between user needs, operational requirements, and the development backlog. Your portfolio and interview responses should explicitly address this capability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow (mandatory).

• Design Systems: U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed as primary tools, understanding web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and data visualization tools may be beneficial for user research and impact measurement. CRM & Automation:

• ServiceNow is mentioned, which can encompass CRM-like functionalities and workflow automation within federal IT service management contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Jira and ServiceNow is critical, not just for design collaboration but for understanding how design specifications translate into operational tasks and service management workflows within government IT. This highlights the operational aspect of the UX/UI role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value driving all design and process decisions, ensuring that end-user needs are paramount.

• Excellence in Service: A commitment to delivering high-quality solutions that meet the stringent demands of federal clients.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where cross-functional teams work together effectively to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the ability to adapt to evolving technologies and client requirements within the government sector.

• Integrity & Compliance: Upholding the highest ethical standards and ensuring all work adheres to federal regulations and security protocols.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to streamline processes, improve workflows, and maximize the effectiveness of technology solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to work closely with developers, business analysts, project managers, and client stakeholders, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Agile & Iterative: Collaboration occurs within agile sprints, emphasizing frequent feedback loops, open communication, and iterative refinement of designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, insights from user research, and lessons learned to continuously improve team performance and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "efficiency & optimization" and "translating business processes into automated technology solutions" suggests that the team values operational excellence and the practical application of design to improve workflows, not just aesthetics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Federal Bureaucracy & Legacy Systems: Adapting designs and processes to meet the unique constraints, regulations, and often outdated technological landscapes of government agencies.

• Balancing User Needs with Strict Compliance: Finding design solutions that are both user-friendly and adhere to extensive federal regulations (e.g., Section 508, FedRAMP).

• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Maintaining strong team cohesion and communication across distributed teams and with diverse federal stakeholders.

• Translating Complex Processes: Accurately capturing and translating intricate government business processes into clear, actionable specifications for development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into ServiceNow: Opportunities to become an expert in leveraging ServiceNow for UX/UI integration and process documentation.

• Federal Design Standards Mastery: Gaining unparalleled expertise in USWDS, Section 508, and other federal design guidelines.

• Agile Process Improvement: Enhancing skills in Agile methodologies and contributing to the optimization of the development-to-design pipeline.

• Client Advisory Skills: Developing expertise in advising federal clients on digital transformation and user experience strategy.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to senior leaders and experienced professionals within Govcio LLC for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly tied to the operational realities of government contracting. Successfully navigating these requires not only design skill but also strong process management and adaptability.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex business process into a user-friendly interface for a development team. What was your process, and what tools did you use?" (Focus on documentation, personas, and Jira integration).

• "How do you ensure accessibility compliance (Section 508, WCAG) in your design process, especially when working with federal guidelines like USWDS?" (Be ready to cite specific standards and methods).

• "Walk us through a project where you used user research to inform significant design decisions. How did you gather insights, and how did those insights influence the final product?" (Emphasize research rigor and impact).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for the ServiceNow platform to improve user efficiency for a specific government workflow?" (Demonstrate understanding of the platform and process optimization). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Govcio LLC and our work in the federal sector?" (Research the company's mission, clients, and recent projects).

• "How do you stay updated on federal digital design standards and emerging UX/UI trends?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry awareness).

• "Describe your experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment. How do you collaborate with developers and product managers?" (Highlight teamwork and iterative processes). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Operations: When presenting projects, clearly delineate the "Business Process Documentation" phase, "Persona Development," "Design Iteration based on Feedback," and "Developer Handoff/Jira Card Creation."

• Quantify Value: Use numbers to back up your claims. "Reduced task completion time by X%," "Increased user satisfaction scores by Y%," "Streamlined Z business process."

• Tool Demonstration: Be ready to briefly demonstrate key functionalities in Figma/Adobe XD or discuss how you've used Jira/Confluence for project tracking and communication.

• Federal Relevance: Explicitly call out how your projects align with federal requirements and the specific needs of government clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss not just the "what" of your designs, but the "how" – specifically, how you operationalized the design process by documenting requirements and translating them for development teams, particularly within an Agile framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned UX/UI position:

• Submit your application through the Govcio LLC careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and responsibilities related to UX/UI, Subject Matter Expertise, federal contracting, ServiceNow, Jira, Confluence, accessibility (Section 508, WCAG), USWDS, and process documentation for development. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to translate business processes into functional designs, your proficiency with required tools, and your understanding of federal standards. Ensure clear documentation of your design process.

• Prepare for the Portfolio Review: Practice walking through your selected projects, focusing on the operational aspects of your work – how you captured requirements, documented processes, and facilitated development. Be ready to discuss your approach to federal compliance and usability.

• Research Govcio LLC: Understand their mission, values, and the types of government contracts they undertake. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and company culture.

⚠️ 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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