Senior Graphic Designer

Guidehouse; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking an exceptionally creative Senior Graphic Designer to join our onsite team at DARPA's headquarters in Arlington, VA. You will partner with program managers, military leaders, researchers, and industry partners to craft branding, visual storytelling, and print and digital assets across high-profile presentations, websites, brochures, and event signage.

Responsibilities include client consultation, strategic brand stewardship, graphic development, web collaboration,

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED and 10+ years of experience in graphic design.
• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating talent in visual layout, typography, branding, infographics, and responsive digital design.
• Expert-level proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Familiarity with Section 508 accessibility standards for digital and PDF assets.
• Strong listening, questioning, and consulting skills.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into clear visual narratives.
• Experience collaborating with web developers and interactive media teams.
• Onsite work at DARPA's Arlington, VA headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Client Consultation & Creative Partnering: Meet with diverse clients to understand audience and key messages.
• Strategic Brand Stewardship: Develop visual identities aligned with program goals while upholding the DARPA brand.
• Graphic Development: Create graphics for print, digital, presentations, websites, and event signage.
• Web Team Collaboration: Ensure graphics render well across desktop and mobile.
• Mentorship and Creative Direction: Guide junior designers and provide constructive feedback.
• Accessibility Standards: Ensure outputs meet Section 508 guidelines.
• Full-Lifecycle Collaboration: Manage projects from intake to final proofing with realistic timelines.

Skills

Graphic design

Branding

Typography

Infographics

Responsive design

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

3D modeling

Education

High school diploma or GED

10+ years graphic design experience

Tools

After Effects

Premiere Pro

Job description

Job Family:Digital Strategy (ESA)Travel Required:Up to 10%Clearance Required:Ability to Obtain SecretWhat You Will Do:We are seeking an exceptionally creative, strategic, and collaborative Senior Graphic Designer to join our team onsite. This role goes beyond standard design work; you will serve as a creative partner and consultant to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) program managers, military leadership, academic researchers, and commercial partners.While our team has access to state-of-the-art onsite production equipment (such as 3D printers, laser engravers, and high-speed production presses), this position will focus heavily on Graphic Services. You will lead the design of program branding, visual storytelling, digital media, and print layouts, while providing creative guidance to junior design staff.Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:Client Consultation & Creative Partnering: Meet with diverse clients (including military officers, academic researchers, and commercial industry partners) to understand their scientific or technological concepts. Ask insightful questions to uncover who their target audience is and what key message they need to convey.Strategic Brand Stewardship: Guide clients on how to develop visual identities that align with their specific program goals while strictly maintaining DARPA's institutional brand, reputation, and overarching mission.Graphic Development: Conceptualize and build graphics optimized for successful rendering across both print and digital mediums, including high-profile screen presentations, websites, social media, brochures, and large-scale event signage.Web Team Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with the web development team to ensure graphics are optimized for responsive digital environments, translating beautifully from full-screen desktop browsers to mobile interfaces.Mentorship and Creative Direction: Provide constructive feedback, creative guidance, and professional direction to junior designers on the team to elevate their work and support their skill development.Accessibility Standards: Ensure all digital design outputs conform to Section 508 compliance guidelines, making visual communications accessible to all audiences.Full-Lifecycle Collaboration: Engage with projects from initial intake through final proofing, managing realistic timelines (ranging from rapid-response requests to multi-week branding campaigns).What You Will Need:Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD \"SECRET\" security clearance; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of clearance prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE \"SECRET\" or higher-level clearance are preferred.High school diploma/GEDTEN (10) or more years' experience in graphic design. Experience needs to include:A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating exceptional talent in visual layout, typography, branding, infographics, and responsive digital design.Expert-level proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesignPractical, hands-on familiarity with federal accessibility standards (Section 508 compliance guidelines) for digital and PDF assets.Outstanding active listening, questioning, and consulting skills. Ability to translate highly complex, technical, or scientific concepts into clear, impactful visual narratives.Proven experience collaborating directly with web developers and interactive media teams.Ability to work 100% onsite at DARPA’s headquarters in Arlington, VAWhat Would Be Nice To Have:An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED \"SECRET\" Federal or DoD security clearanceBachelor's degreeExperience with Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro.Familiarity with 3D modeling or preparing assets for high-resolution 3D printing.Basic knowledge of digital photography, studio lighting, or photo editing workflows.Familiarity with video production, podcast recording, or live streaming.What We Offer:Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.Benefits include:Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision InsurancePersonal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid HolidaysPosition may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonusParental Leave and Adoption Assistance401(k) Retirement PlanBasic Life & Supplemental LifeHealth Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending AccountsShort-Term & Long-Term DisabilityStudent Loan PayDownTuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning OpportunitiesSkills Development & CertificationsEmployee Referral ProgramCorporate Sponsored Events & Community OutreachEmergency Back-Up Childcare ProgramMobility StipendAbout GuidehouseGuidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.