Graphics Designer, Maps

WMATA; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WMATA in Washington, DC is seeking a Graphic Designer, Maps to transform complex transit data into clear, accessible maps for customers across stations, rail lines, bus routes, and events, across print, digital, and environmental graphics.

You will design, produce, and maintain customer-facing maps, translate GIS and operational data into cartographic products, and develop standardized map components while aligning with Wayfinding and Service Information.

Qualifications

• Requires a design school graduate with cartography training.
• Translates GIS, network, and operational data into clear, user-centered cartographic products.
• Develops standardized map components including symbology, legends, color systems, typography, and layer logic.
• Ensures maps meet accessibility and governance requirements, including WCAG compliance.
• Coordinates cross-functional inputs from Planning, Operations, Maintenance, Digital, and Design partners to align data and design intent.
• This role is based on-site at Metro’s L’Enfant Plaza headquarters in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Designs, produces, and maintains customer-facing maps across print and digital platforms.
• Translates GIS, network, and operational data into clear, accurate, and user-centered cartographic products.
• Develops and steward standardized map components, including symbology, legends, color systems, typography, and layer logic.
• Supports map standards, documentation, version control, and asset organization.
• Ensures map products meet accessibility, usability, and governance requirements, including WCAG compliance.
• Coordinates cross-functional inputs from Planning, Operations, Maintenance, Digital, and Design partners to align data and design intent.
• Supports project management and contract oversight for map design and production, including review of contractor deliverables.

Skills

Cartography

Map design

GIS data

Typography

Color systems

Accessibility

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design

Cartography training

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Graphics Designer, Maps Marketing Statement

Do you recognize the names Vignelli, Weese, and Wyman? Do you know their work, and can you talk knowledgeably about it? Are you a design school graduate and professionally trained cartographer? If so, this is your opportunity to build on that tradition and help shape how millions of Metro customers navigate the region every day.

As a Graphic Designer, specializing in Maps on Metro’s Customer Experience team, you’ll transform complex transit data into clear, accessible, and visually compelling maps and wayfinding solutions. Your work will support customers across stations, rail lines, bus routes, special events, and service changes through print, digital, and environmental graphics.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine cartographic expertise, design excellence, and public service while contributing to one of the nation’s most recognized transit systems. The position is based on-site at Metro’s L’Enfant Plaza headquarters in Washington, DC.

Job Summary

The Graphic Designer, Maps position is responsible for designing, producing, and maintaining customer-facing maps that support wayfinding and service information across Metro. This role supports the end-to-end lifecycle of map development - from geospatial data intake and cartographic design through production while reporting to the Product Manager for Wayfinding and Service Information. This role also maintains guidelines, standards, and continuous improvement. The incumbent designs, supports, develops, and maintains customer-facing map assets and the guidelines that inform their creation, translating complex multimodal transit data into clear, accessible, and visually consistent map products. While the primary focus is cartography, the position also supports other wayfinding and service information graphics to ensure consistency across customer touchpoints.

Principal Job Duties

• Designs, produces, and maintains customer-facing maps across print and digital platforms, supporting bus, rail, parking, and station access environments.
• Translates GIS, network, and operational data into clear, accurate, and user-centered cartographic products.
• Develops and stewards standardized map components, including symbology, legends, color systems, typography, and layer logic.
• Supports Wayfinding and Service Information's ownership of customer-facing map standards, documentation, version control, and asset organization.
• Ensures map products meet accessibility, usability, and governance requirements, including WCAG compliance and cross-device use.
• Coordinates cross-functional inputs from Planning, Operations, Maintenance, Digital, and Design partners to align data and design intent.
• Supports project management and contract oversight for map design and production, including review of contractor deliverables.

Other Duties

• Collaborates on broader wayfinding and service information initiatives and assists with non-map graphic design work as needed to ensure systemwide consistency.
• Supports other Customer Experience graphic design projects as needed
• Maintains awareness of cartographic, GIS, and graphic design trends through professional development.
• Incorporates stakeholder feedback into revised deliverables in a timely manner.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously and communicates effectively regarding priorities and deadlines.
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.