Junior Scientific Graphic Designer

Spire Communications; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness stipend

Home office reimbursement

401(k) plan

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Spire Communications in Alexandria, VA, seeks a junior graphic designer to support the NSF's visual communications, delivering print and digital assets, presentations, and event materials while following established design directions and accessibility standards.

This hybrid role prefers a portfolio and a Bachelor’s in graphic design, with 3+ years of experience and strong Adobe Creative Cloud skills; you’ll collaborate with a team and grow toward more independent design work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field.
• 3+ years of professional graphic design experience.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Ability to collaborate within a team on assigned projects.
• Portfolio required with application.

Responsibilities

• Create graphic designs, layouts, and visual assets for print, digital media, events, exhibits, video, web, and social channels.
• Design and edit presentations, including editable graphics and diagrams.
• Follow NSF branding guidelines.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback to refine and improve designs.
• Leverage AI-assisted design tools to improve production efficiency.
• Ensure content meets current Section 508/WCAG accessibility requirements.

Skills

Team collaboration

Print & digital design

508 accessibility awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

PowerPoint

Word

AI tools

Job description

Spire Communications is hiring a full‑time, junior graphic designer with demonstrated expertise designing print and digital media to support visual communications for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This role focuses on executing established design direction accurately and efficiently across a range of NSF products, from presentations to event materials, while building toward more independent design work. This position offers the opportunity to support NSF’s mission by transforming complex scientific information into accessible and engaging visual communications.

Spire Communications is a woman‑owned strategic communications and creative firm based in Alexandria, VA that supports science, technology, and engineering organizations within the government and private sectors.

This position is hybrid, with potential to be fully onsite, based at the client site in Alexandria, VA.

DESIGN PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION.

• Create graphic designs, layouts, and visual assets for print, digital, events, exhibits, video, web, and social media channels.
• Design and edit presentations, including editable graphics and diagrams.
• Follow NSF’s branding guidelines.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback to refine and improve designs.
• Leverage AI‑assisted design tools to support efficient production of graphics and layouts.
• Ensure content meets current Section 508/WCAG accessibility requirements.

What You’ll Bring to Spire

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in graphic design or related discipline.
• 3+ years of professional experience in graphic design.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team on assigned projects.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint and Word.

Major Pluses

• 508 compliance expertise.
• Experience using AI tools to create design assets.
• Demonstrated experience communicating scientific/technical subject matter, with expertise in one or more NSF focus or technology areas (e.g., Biology, Engineering, Computing, AI, Cybersecurity); federal or federally funded research experience a plus.

Medical (United Healthcare), dental (CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield), and vision (United Concordia) plans paid at 100% (employee premium) plus 30% contribution to family premium

Monthly $50 “wellness” stipend for gym memberships, spa services, etc.

Life and disability insurance (short- and long-term)

18 days PTO and 8 federal holidays per year (+Veterans Day for those who have served)

Home office expense reimbursement

401(k) plan with automatic 3% of salary employer contribution

Annual stipend for employee and/or job‑related training

Equal Opportunity Employer

Spire Communications is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.