Web Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Web Designer

Company: KBR

Location: Chantilly, Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) & Interface Design / Government Contracting

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for providing Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support within a classified environment, focusing on enhancing user interfaces and user experiences for intelligence operations.

• The Web Designer will evaluate existing web applications, dashboards, and portals to ensure they meet stringent mission requirements, usability standards, and accessibility guidelines.

• Key responsibilities include collaborating with government stakeholders and development teams to implement design improvements and foster consistency across mission-critical systems.

• This position demands a strong understanding of UI/UX best practices, information architecture, and compliance with government design standards, particularly within the national security sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Web Designer," the description clearly indicates a specialized role within SETA support for intelligence operations. The focus is heavily on UI/UX evaluation, design standards, and government compliance, making it more than a standard web design position. It requires a deep understanding of user-centered design principles applied to complex, mission-critical systems.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive reviews and evaluations of existing web applications, intelligence portals, and operational dashboards to assess their effectiveness and user experience.

• Analyze user interfaces (UI), information architecture, navigation flows, and visual design elements to identify areas for improvement in usability, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal.

• Develop and present actionable recommendations for enhancing user experience (UX), ensuring consistency, and improving overall user effectiveness across diverse web-based systems.

• Critically assess wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and design specifications to guarantee alignment with specific mission requirements, operational objectives, and established design standards.

• Verify compliance with critical accessibility requirements, industry web standards, and specific government design guidelines, such as Section 508 and the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of robust UI/UX design standards, comprehensive style guides, and effective governance processes to ensure uniformity across all mission systems.

• Synthesize user feedback, analyze usage metrics, and interpret operational requirements to inform and guide design recommendations and system modernization initiatives.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with government stakeholders, software developers, engineers, and other mission partners to effectively assess proposed design changes and enhancements.

• Prepare detailed documentation of findings, assessments, and strategic recommendations to support informed decision-making and facilitate system improvements.

• Support the planning and execution of testing and validation activities to confirm that implemented design changes successfully achieve intended usability and operational outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a consultative and analytical approach, common in SETA roles. The focus on "Space and Counterspace missions" and "intelligence operations" suggests a need for understanding complex technical domains and their implications for user interface design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Web Design, User Experience Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in web design, UI/UX design, user research, digital product design, or a comparable discipline.

• Demonstrated experience in reviewing, evaluating, or designing web applications, enterprise websites, complex dashboards, or large-scale user interfaces. Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design Principles: Deep understanding and application of user-centered design methodologies, information architecture, and interaction design.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch, or Axure RP.

• Critical Evaluation: Ability to systematically review and assess design artifacts (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) against functional and usability requirements.

• Government Standards: Familiarity with web accessibility standards, such as Section 508 compliance, and experience with government design systems like the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and a current Polygraph.

Preferred Skills:

• Government Program Support: Prior experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), or other federal government programs.

• Data Visualization: Experience in designing or evaluating data visualization platforms and tools, particularly for complex datasets.

• Mission-Specific Context: Understanding of intelligence analysis tools, space defense concepts, or counterspace operations to better inform design decisions.

• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and how UI/UX integrates within them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an active TS/SCI clearance with a current polygraph is a critical qualification that significantly narrows the candidate pool and emphasizes the sensitive nature of the work. The preferred qualifications highlight a desire for candidates who can quickly acclimate to the government contracting environment and mission-specific challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your process from problem identification through to final design solution, with a focus on user-centered design principles.

• Problem-Solving: Clearly articulate the challenges faced in past projects, the methodologies employed (e.g., user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing), and how your design decisions addressed those challenges.

• Tool Proficiency: Include examples of work created using industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Sketch, Axure). Highlight specific features or techniques used.

• Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your design work whenever possible. This could include improvements in task completion rates, user satisfaction scores, reduction in support tickets, or adherence to accessibility standards. For government projects, emphasize alignment with mission goals.

Process Documentation:

• User Research: Detail your approach to conducting user research, including methods like interviews, surveys, persona development, and journey mapping, and how this research informed design decisions.

• Design Iteration: Illustrate your iterative design process, showing how feedback from stakeholders or testing was incorporated to refine designs.

• Collaboration: Provide examples of how you collaborated with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving SETA support and government projects, a portfolio should emphasize not just aesthetic design but also the rigor of the design process, adherence to standards, and the ability to translate complex requirements into functional, user-friendly interfaces. Demonstrating an understanding of government design frameworks like USWDS and accessibility compliance (Section 508) is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $135,200 - $175,000 annually.

• Note: This estimate is based on the provided range for the Virginia area. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, and alignment with internal parity.

Benefits:

• Performance Incentives: Eligibility for bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation based on role and performance.

• Sign-on Bonus: Potential for a sign-on bonus to aid in transition.

• Relocation Assistance: Relocation benefits may be offered to assist with moving expenses.

• Short-Term Incentives (STI): Opportunities for short-term financial rewards tied to performance.

• Long-Term Incentives (LTI): Potential for long-term financial rewards, such as stock options or performance-based grants.

• Additional Compensation: Discretionary payments may be awarded for exceptional performance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. Given the on-site requirement and the nature of government contracting, a degree of flexibility may be expected, but adherence to core operational hours is likely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to the Virginia area. The additional compensation details suggest a comprehensive benefits package common in government contracting, aiming to attract and retain talent for critical roles. The emphasis on "exceptional performance" and "discretionary payments" indicates a performance-driven culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Aerospace & Defense / Engineering & Construction. KBR operates in sectors critical to national security and infrastructure development, implying a culture that values precision, reliability, and security.

Company Size: Large enterprise. KBR is a global company with a significant number of employees, suggesting a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for career advancement within a broad organization.

Founded: KBR has a long history, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century, indicating stability and a deep understanding of its core industries.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role operates within a SETA (Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance) support structure, meaning the team likely comprises engineers, analysts, and technical specialists providing expert advice and support to government clients.

• Reporting: The Web Designer will likely report to a program manager or a lead engineer overseeing the SETA contract, with close collaboration with government leads and development teams.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role requires extensive collaboration with government stakeholders, software developers, system engineers, and potentially other design or UX specialists to ensure integrated and effective solutions.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Given the SETA nature and government client, expect a strong emphasis on data analysis, evidence-based recommendations, and clear documentation to support all proposed design changes and strategic advice.

• Process Optimization: The core function involves evaluating and recommending improvements to existing processes and systems, focusing on efficiency, usability, and adherence to standards.

• Security & Compliance: All methodologies will operate under strict security protocols and compliance requirements, given the classified environment and national security focus.

Company Website: https://careers.kbr.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: KBR's involvement in defense and intelligence sectors means the company culture likely prioritizes security, mission success, and adherence to rigorous standards. The SETA role implies a close working relationship with the client, requiring strong communication and advisory skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level specialist (3-5 years experience). It requires a solid foundation in web design and UI/UX principles, with the ability to apply them within a complex government contracting environment. The SETA aspect elevates it beyond a pure design role, requiring analytical and advisory capabilities.

Reporting Structure: The Web Designer will likely report to a Program Manager or Lead Engineer within the SETA contract team. They will work closely with government clients and development teams, acting as a key technical advisor on UI/UX matters.

Operations Impact: The Web Designer's impact is directly tied to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of intelligence operations through improved digital interfaces. By ensuring systems are user-friendly, accessible, and aligned with mission needs, this role contributes significantly to national security objectives and the operational success of intelligence personnel.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like accessibility compliance, data visualization design for intelligence, or UX research for classified systems.

• Leadership: Advancement into lead design roles, program management, or technical leadership positions within SETA contracts.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to gain experience with advanced government design systems, work on cutting-edge intelligence technologies, and potentially pursue further certifications in UX or Systems Engineering.

• Security Clearance Advancement: Potential to work on projects requiring higher-level clearances or specialized access, further enhancing career prospects within the IC.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path in SETA roles often involves increasing responsibility for program strategy, client management, and technical leadership. Demonstrating strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex technical requirements into user-friendly designs will be key to advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This role requires the candidate to work from a physical office location in Chantilly, Virginia. Given the classified nature of the work, the office environment will likely be a secure facility with strict access controls.

Office Location(s): Chantilly, Virginia, within Fairfax County. This area is a hub for government contractors and intelligence agencies, offering proximity to key clients and industry partners.

Workspace Context:

• Secure Facility: Expect a professional, secure workspace designed for handling sensitive information, with robust IT security measures in place.

• Technology Access: Access to government-approved hardware, software, and network resources necessary for design work and secure communication.

• Collaborative Spaces: While security is paramount, the environment will likely include meeting rooms and collaborative areas for discussions with government stakeholders and internal teams.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is expected. However, given the mission-critical nature of intelligence operations, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or urgent client needs. Adherence to security protocols and work hours within the secure facility is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working in a classified environment means the day-to-day experience will be highly structured and security-focused. Candidates should be prepared for strict protocols regarding technology use, communication, and physical access.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess fit with the basic and preferred qualifications, particularly the security clearance requirement.

• Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve discussing your UI/UX design process, experience with design tools, and your approach to evaluating and improving web applications. Expect questions about your understanding of user research, information architecture, and design principles.

• Portfolio Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a selection of your work from your portfolio, explaining your design process, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your contributions. Be prepared to discuss specific case studies in detail.

• Government/Client Interaction Simulation: You may be presented with hypothetical scenarios or case studies related to intelligence operations or government systems to gauge your problem-solving skills and ability to provide SETA-style recommendations.

• Security & Background Check: Extensive background checks and vetting will be conducted due to the TS/SCI clearance requirement. This process can be lengthy.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to SETA: Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to work within constraints, adhere to standards, and provide clear, actionable recommendations, rather than just purely aesthetic designs.

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking process for each project, emphasizing user research, iterative design, and stakeholder collaboration.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and concrete examples to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your design work. For government roles, link design improvements to mission objectives or operational efficiency.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your expertise with tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Axure, and how you leverage their features for effective design.

• Address Government Standards: Include examples demonstrating your understanding and application of Section 508 and USWDS, if applicable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions asking how you would approach specific design challenges within a government or intelligence context (e.g., redesigning a complex dashboard, improving accessibility for a legacy system).

• Problem-Solving Framework: Have a structured approach for tackling design problems, including discovery, ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation phases.

• Communication Skills: Practice articulating technical concepts and design rationale clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The security clearance process is a significant part of the application. Candidates should be prepared for thorough vetting. The interview process will likely assess not only design skills but also the ability to function effectively within a government contracting SETA role, requiring strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Sketch, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one of these is essential.

• Collaboration Platforms: Likely to include tools for team communication and project management within a secure environment (e.g., Microsoft Teams for Government, secure versions of Slack, Jira, Confluence).

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Experience with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior, though access may be restricted in classified environments.

• Reporting Tools: Familiarity with generating reports on design performance, usability testing results, and accessibility compliance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, understanding how design integrates with broader systems (like CRMs or workflow automation tools used by clients) can be beneficial. The emphasis is on the end-user interface, not the backend operational systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is proficiency in standard UI/UX design and prototyping tools. Experience with government-specific design systems and potentially secure collaboration tools is highly valued. The focus is on the tools that enable effective digital product design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission Focus: A strong commitment to supporting the customer's mission and national security objectives is paramount.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of integrity, discretion, and security is non-negotiable in this environment.

• Excellence & Precision: A dedication to delivering high-quality, accurate, and reliable design solutions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for enhancing processes, systems, and user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Centric: Emphasis on understanding and addressing the specific needs and requirements of government stakeholders.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with engineering, development, and analysis teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and operationally effective.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture that encourages open communication and the exchange of constructive feedback to refine designs and improve outcomes.

• Documentation-Oriented: Clear and thorough documentation of design decisions, processes, and recommendations is integral to the collaborative workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture will be heavily influenced by the government client's environment and KBR's role as a contractor. Expect a professional, security-conscious atmosphere where collaboration is structured and focused on achieving mission objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Classified Environment: Navigating the security protocols, access restrictions, and unique operational demands of working within a classified setting.

• Legacy Systems: Potentially working with or improving older, complex systems that may have technical limitations or entrenched user habits.

• Diverse Stakeholders: Balancing the needs and expectations of various government stakeholders, each with potentially different priorities and technical understanding.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in design tools, UX methodologies, and intelligence technologies within a regulated environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas of UX/UI design, user research, and interaction design.

• Government Design Systems: Gaining in-depth knowledge and practical experience with government-specific design frameworks (USWDS, DoD standards).

• Domain Expertise: Developing a strong understanding of intelligence operations, space defense, and counterspace missions, which can open doors to more specialized roles.

• Professional Certifications: Potential for support in obtaining certifications relevant to UX, systems engineering, or government contracting.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced SETA professionals and engineers who can provide guidance on career development and technical growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are significant but are also opportunities for specialized skill development. Mastering the complexities of government contracting and classified environments can lead to highly rewarding and secure career paths.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex web application or dashboard you've evaluated. What were its primary usability issues, and how would you propose to improve it for a mission-critical government system?" (Assesses evaluation skills, problem-solving, and understanding of critical systems.)

• "How do you approach incorporating user feedback and metrics into your design process, especially when dealing with potentially sensitive operational data?" (Tests your methodology and ability to handle data in a secure context.)

• "Explain your experience with Section 508 compliance and the U.S. Web Design System. How have you applied these principles in previous projects?" (Directly addresses preferred qualifications and government standards.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for KBR and supporting intelligence operations in a classified environment?" (Assesses motivation, understanding of the role's context, and cultural fit.)

• "How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration with technical teams and government stakeholders who may have varying levels of design understanding?" (Evaluates communication and stakeholder management skills.)

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision. How did you present your case, and what was the outcome?" (Gauges your ability to influence and present design rationale.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome (quantified if possible).

• Focus on SETA Relevance: Emphasize how your designs addressed specific requirements, improved efficiency, or enhanced usability in a way that would benefit operational users.

• Tool Demonstration: Be prepared to briefly demonstrate key features or workflows in your chosen design tool if asked.

• Government Standards: Explicitly mention how you considered or applied government accessibility standards (Section 508) or design systems (USWDS) where relevant.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time and present your strongest, most relevant projects efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews for SETA roles in government contracting are rigorous. Expect to demonstrate not only design proficiency but also analytical thinking, communication skills, and an understanding of the unique demands of working within a secure government environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Web Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete and submit your application through the KBR careers portal. Ensure all required fields are accurately filled.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience with UI/UX design, web application evaluation, government design standards (Section 508, USWDS), and your proficiency with design tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Cloud. Focus on projects that demonstrate problem-solving within constraints.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your years of experience, relevant education, and explicitly states your active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and current polygraph. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Review common UI/UX interview questions, prepare detailed case studies from your portfolio, and practice articulating your design process and rationale. Research KBR and their role in government contracting.

• Company & Role Research: Understand KBR's mission, particularly their work within the defense and intelligence sectors. Familiarize yourself with the SETA role and the importance of user experience in intelligence operations.

⚠️ 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.