Lead User Interface Designer

ACL Digital; Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 96,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

ACL Digital seeks a UI/Accessibility Expert - Front-End Tech Lead in Des Moines, IA (Remote). You will own architecture, standards, and accessibility strategy for front-end work across Staff MIUI screens, focusing on WCAG 2.2 AA and Section 508.

You will collaborate with Java backend teams, mentor developers, and improve CI/CD pipelines while applying secure development practices in a government-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Front-End Tech Lead with expertise in Angular, SASS and HTML.
• Experience implementing a design system with USWDS preferred.
• Formal accessibility certification (CPACC, WAS, or equivalent).
• Hands-on accessibility testing with automated tools, screen readers, and keyboard navigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead front-end architecture, coding standards, and direction for the Angular/SASS/HTML codebase.
• Develop and review high-quality front-end code for Staff MIUI screens.
• Implement the USWDS and State Design System across the project.

Skills

Angular

SASS

HTML

USWDS

Accessibility testing

CI/CD

Mentoring

Security

Tools

USWDS

Job description

Title: UI/Accessibility Expert - Front-End Tech Lead

Location: Des Moines, IA 50319 - Remote

Duration: 10/26/2026 - 06/30/2027

Interview: Either Web Cam or In Person

Need only local candidates be submitted to this position.

Pay Rate - $70 to $74 per hour on W2

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for the front-end codebase (Angular, SASS, HTML), setting architecture, direction, and coding standards.
• Develop, review, and maintain high-quality front-end code for Staff MIUI screens.
• Implement and enforce the U.S. Web Design System and State Design System across the project.
• Own accessibility strategy and ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508, Title I, and Title II requirements.
• Perform accessibility validation using automated testing tools, screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), and manual keyboard/tabbing navigation.
• Lead code reviews, design reviews, and mentor front-end developers.
• Improve and maintain front-end CI/CD processes and pipelines.
• Identify architectural gaps and define the front-end technical roadmap.
• Collaborate with Java backend teams to integrate APIs and services (no Java development required).
• Produce technical documentation, decision records, and process documentation.
• Apply secure development practices aligned with government security and sensitive data handling requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Front-End Tech Lead or senior-level front-end engineer.
• Expert knowledge of Angular, SASS, HTML.
• Experience implementing a design system; USWDS experience strongly preferred.
• Formal accessibility certification (CPACC, WAS, or equivalent).
• Hands-on accessibility testing experience using automated tools, screen readers, and manual navigation.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD and front-end deployment workflows.
• Ability to work effectively with Java backend teams.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, mentoring ability, and experience driving engineering best practices.
• Understanding of government security and sensitive data handling requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Section 508 and Title I/Title II accessibility compliance.
• Prior work in government or public-sector environments.
• Experience defining engineering standards and leading process improvements.
• Familiarity with enterprise-scale front-end architectures and component libraries.
• Experience writing technical documentation, runbooks, or engineering process guides.