Senior Scientific Graphic Designer

Spire Communications; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellness stipend

Life insurance

Disability insurance

PTO & holidays

Home office reimbursement

401(k) plan

Training stipend

Job summary

Spire Communications in Alexandria, VA is seeking a senior graphic designer to lead design initiatives for the NSF, shaping visual identity across print and digital channels in a hybrid role with potential for full-time on-site.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience, a strong science/tech background, and expert Adobe CC skills; familiarity with accessibility standards and web/video production is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related discipline.
• 10+ years of professional graphic design experience.
• Expert-level proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Ability to lead design direction and establish visual identity standards.
• Experience communicating scientific/technical subject matter.

Responsibilities

• Gather requirements from stakeholders and work independently on assigned projects.
• Establish and maintain NSF’s visual identity.
• Communicate directly with stakeholders and researchers to understand goals, gather feedback, and interpret complex subject matter.
• Create original graphics and illustrations in traditional and digital formats to clarify complex information.
• Create collateral, presentation, and social graphic templates.
• Review and approve final design assets produced by other designers prior to production, ensuring quality, brand consistency, and attention to detail.
• Provide technical and/or artistic advice to staff and designers.
• Contribute to and organize NSF’s digital assets and multimedia resources, including maintaining metadata and permissions within Acquia DAM and Brightcove.
• Participate in special projects and other creative duties as assigned.

Skills

Design leadership

Brand development

Print & digital design

Communicate scientific/technical

Multi-task under pressure

Attention to detail

AI-assisted tooling guidance

Visual identity standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Acquia DAM

Brightcove

Job description

The position is hybrid, with potential for full-time at the client site in Alexandria, VA.

DESIGN PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION.

Spire Communications is hiring a full-time, highly skilled senior graphic designer with demonstrated expertise in print and digital design, brand development, and design leadership to support communications for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Candidates should bring a strong background in science and technology subject matter. This role leads complex design initiatives, establishing and maintaining NSF’s visual identity while advising staff on visual communication strategy and taking on the most demanding and ambiguous design challenges. This position is an exceptional opportunity for a designer passionate about science and technology to shape how the nation’s premier scientific research agency visually communicates its mission and discoveries to the public, policymakers, and the research community.

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.

• Gather requirements from stakeholders and work independently on assigned projects.
• Establish and maintain the NSF’s visual identity.
• Communicate directly with stakeholders and researchers to understand goals, gather feedback, and interpret complex subject matter.
• Create original graphics and illustrations in traditional and digital formats to clarify complex information.
• Create collateral, presentation, and social graphic templates.
• Review and approve final design assets produced by other designers prior to production, ensuring quality, brand consistency, and attention to detail.
• Provide technical and/or artistic advice to staff and designers.
• Contribute to and organize NSF’s digital assets and multimedia resources, including maintaining metadata and permissions within Acquia DAM and Brightcove.
• Participate in special projects and other creative duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring to Spire

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in graphic design or related discipline.
• 10+ years of professional experience in graphic design.
• Expert-level proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Demonstrated ability to lead design direction and establish visual identity standards.
• Ability to multi-task and work efficiently under pressure with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated success leveraging AI-assisted tools to enhance design quality and production efficiency, with ability to guide adoption across the team.
• Understanding of Section 508/WCAG accessibility requirements.
• Working understanding of web, interactivity, and video production.
• 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).

Major Pluses

• Expertise supporting interactive or immersive virtual reality experiences (e.g., Oculus 360° video, CGI VR experiences, Unity/Unreal, interactive VR development).
• Federal or federally funded research experience.

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.

About Spire

We are a boutique, woman‑led agency that specializes in technology, health, and science. Our clients are federal agencies and contractors charged with advanced R&D and vital national programs that make life better for all Americans. Our team is committed to the work of these pioneers and public servants. We believe in their missions, marvel at their innovations, and delight in telling their stories.

Every member of our team is a senior‑level communicator. This means every assignment is an opportunity to work with and learn from the best strategists and storytellers—designers, videographers, writers, editors, media relations leads, social media managers, and web developers.

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.