UI/UX Researcher/Designer

New Directions Technologies, Inc; Ridgecrest (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

New Directions Technologies, Inc. seeks a UI/UX Researcher/Designer to support enterprise web applications. You will translate complex requirements into wireframes and prototypes, collaborating with product managers, developers, and QA to deliver user-centered interfaces.

The role emphasizes usability testing, design systems, and Agile collaboration, with a need for a strong portfolio and proficiency in industry tools. Security clearance will be pursued as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 1–2 years of UX/UI design experience for web applications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance.
• Proficiency with modern UI/UX design tools (Figma/Adobe XD/Sketch/Axure RP).
• Strong understanding of responsive web design, typography, color theory, and modular components.

Responsibilities

• Design intuitive, user-centered and accessible interfaces for web applications.
• Translate business requirements into wireframes, mockups and prototypes.
• Collaborate with end users, product managers, developers, and QA testers.
• Conduct user research, interviews, usability testing and gather feedback to inform design decisions.
• Develop and maintain a unified design system and component library.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and work with front-end engineers to ensure design integrity.

Skills

UX design

UI design

Wireframing

Prototyping

Usability testing

Agile

Education

Bachelor's degree in HCI/Graphic Design/CS/Interaction Design

Tools

Figma

Adobe XD

Sketch

Axure RP

Jira

Confluence

Azure DevOps

Job description

UI/UX Researcher/Designer - ID#:JR-2026-223

Location:

China Lake, CA

Status:

Full Time

Job Description:

• We are looking for a User Experience / User Interface (UX/UI} Designer to support the WSSIS V Contract at AWL. The UX/UI Designer will be an integral member of the software development team, responsible for designing intuitive, user-centered, and accessible interfaces for enterprise business web applications. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between end users and technical teams by translating complex business requirements and workflows into elegant, interactive wireframes, mockups, and prototypes. A demonstrable understanding of modern design concepts, human-computer interaction (HCI}, responsive web design, and collaborative product delivery should be within the experience scope of the candidate.
• Collaborate directly with end users, business/product managers owners, web developers, and QA testers to understand user needs, workflows, and business objectives.
• Plan, conduct, and analyze user research, user interviews, contextual inquiries, and usability testing sessions to inform design decisions.
• Create user personas, journey maps, information architectures, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes for business web applications.
• Establish, maintain, and evolve a unified design system and component library to ensure consistency across multiple internal web applications.
• Participate actively in Agile ceremonies (Scrum/Sprint planning, backlog grooming, retrospectives) and work closely with front-end engineers to ensure design integrity during technical implementation.
• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities, emerging project requirements, and constructive feedback from stakeholders and users.

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

• 8531
• Due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Computer Science, Interaction Design, or a related field, with a minimum of 1-2 years of professional UX/UI design experience for web applications (or equivalent combination of education and direct practical experience).
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. DoD Security Clearance for the duration of employment.
• Proven proficiency with industry-standard, modern UI/UX design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or Axure RP).
• Strong working knowledge of modern design concepts, including responsive web design, grid systems, typography, color theory, and modular component architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct user-facing sessions, gather user feedback, and translate user feedback into actionable interface improvements.
• Strong working understanding of problem-solving, analytical thinking, and troubleshooting usability friction points.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary Agile development environment to produce deliverable products.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with confidence presenting design rationale to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desired Skills:

• An online portfolio or work samples demonstrating the end-to-end design process, from initial user research and sketches to polished high-fidelity prototypes.
• Working understanding of front-end web technologies (HTMLS CSS, JavaScript) to better facilitate design handoff and developer collaboration.
• Familiarity with Agile project tracking and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Azure DevOps.
• Experience working in defense, aerospace, or military software environments, particularly Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWCWD) / AWL support programs.

Salary: the expected pay range for this position is $70,304 to $87,360 but is subject to change.