Senior Graphic Designer

US101 Guidehouse Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Discretionary incentive bonus

Mobility Stipend

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a Senior Graphic Designer to join our onsite team at DARPA in Arlington, VA. You will partner with program managers, military leadership, researchers, and industry partners to shape program branding, visual storytelling, and digital/media outputs, from print to large-scale event signage.

You will lead design concepts, mentor junior designers, ensure 508 accessibility compliance, and collaborate with web teams for responsive experiences.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating talent in visual layout, typography, branding, infographics, and responsive digital design.
• Expert-level proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Experience with federal accessibility standards (Section 508) for digital and PDF assets.
• Outstanding active listening, questioning, and consulting skills.
• Ability to translate highly complex, technical concepts into clear visual narratives.
• Proven experience collaborating with web developers and interactive media teams.
• Ability to work 100% onsite at DARPA's headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

• Meet with diverse clients to understand concepts, audiences, and key messages.
• Guide branding and maintain DARPA's brand and mission.
• Conceptualize graphics for print and digital media, including signage and websites.
• Collaborate with the web team to optimize graphics for responsive environments.
• Mentor junior designers and provide creative direction.
• Ensure accessibility compliance (Section 508) in outputs.
• Manage project timelines from intake to final proofing.

Skills

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Branding

Typography

Visual storytelling

Accessibility (Section 508)

Client consultation

Communication skills

Web collaboration

Education

High school diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Adobe After Effects

Premiere Pro

Job description

Job Family: Digital Strategy (ESA) Travel Required: Up to 10% Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Secret

What 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/GED TEN (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 InDesign.
• Practical, 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, VA.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience 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 Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back‑Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse:

Guidehouse 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. Guidehouse is a global AI‑led professional services firm delivering advisory, technology, and managed services to the commercial and government sectors. With an integrated business technology approach, Guidehouse drives efficiency and resilience in the healthcare, financial services, energy, infrastructure, and national security markets. Built to help clients across industries outwit complexity, the firm brings together approximately 18,000 professionals to achieve lasting impact and shape a meaningful future. guidehouse.com