User Experience (UX) Designer

National Security Agency; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 58,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

National Security Agency seeks an entry- to mid-level User Experience Designer/Researcher to support strategy and design for next generation intelligence tools and applications. You will blend technical expertise and mission knowledge to design intuitive, accessible, and effective interfaces.

Responsibilities include creating conceptual designs, developing workflows, and communicating insights through mockups and research findings.

Qualifications

• Degree must be in Human Computer Interaction, Web Design, Web Development, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in web design or development, user interface design, user experience research or design, or programming languages.

Responsibilities

• Design user experiences for new and existing web and other framework-based applications from concept to completion
• Design workflows and experiences that are intuitive, effective, and accessible
• Apply human factors and cognition principles to the design of tools, systems, tasks, ergonomics, user interfaces, and environments
• Communicate ideas through low and high fidelity mockups
• Collect and analyze user behaviors and needs through various types of user research (field studies, surveys, lab studies, A/B testing, etc.)
• Convey research findings and/or design approach by communicating to a wide range of audiences in both written and oral format
• Generate design systems, building on existing structures and designing new approaches
• Design both a short term and long term UX vision for products
• Think critically through complicated challenges to formulate solutions and collaborate with developers and analysts to implement approved designs

Skills

Web design

User interface design

User experience research

Programming languages

Education

Human Computer Interaction/Web Design/Web Development

Job description

User Experience (UX) Designer - Entry to Mid Level (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 07/1 to 12/10 Open: 2026-09-21, Close: 2026-09-24

Job Posting: 1262742

Responsibilities

As a User Experience Designer/Researcher, you will support the strategy and design for next generation analysis tools and information system applications for the Intelligence Community. Join us to work at the forefront of product/software development in an organization that's focused on promoting consistent processes and practices across the Agency in the areas of user experience engineering, systems engineering, operational engineering and support, and customer outreach. As a User Experience Designer/Researcher, you will be charged with blending both technical expertise and mission knowledge in providing design support for a breadth of analytic, engagement, and business applications.

• Design user experiences for new and existing web and other framework-based applications from concept to completion


• Design workflows and experiences that are intuitive, effective, and accessible


• Apply human factors and cognition principles to the design of tools, systems, tasks, ergonomics, user interfaces, and environments


• Communicate ideas through low and high fidelity mockups


• Collect and analyze user behaviors and needs through various types of user research (field studies, surveys, lab studies, A/B testing, etc.)


• Convey research findings and/or design approach by communicating to a wide range of audiences in both written and oral format


• Generate design systems, building on existing structures and designing new approaches


• Design both a short term and long term UX vision for products


• Think critically through complicated challenges to formulate solutions and collaborate with developers and analysts to implement approved designs

Job Summary

NSA is in search of Computer Science professionals to solve complex problems, test innovative approaches and research new solutions to storing, manipulating, and presenting information. We are looking for you to apply your computer science expertise to projects that seek to create new standards for the transformation of information. If you want to develop technologies and tools and be a part of cutting edge innovations; join our team of experts! Help protect national security interests as part of the world's most advanced team of computer science professionals!

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Human Computer Interaction, Web Design, Web Development, or a related field (for example, Web Technologies, Computer Science, Programming, Visual Communications, UI/UX, Graphic Design). Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: web design or development, user interface design, user experience research or design, or programming languages. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTALEntry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience. FULL PERFORMANCEEntry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience or a Doctoral degree and no experience.

Define

• Engage with internal (NSA/CSS) stakeholders, including partner and customer organizations, and individual employees.


• Identify capability gaps to guide improvements, or creation of, applications; infrastructure; tradecraft; tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).


• Serve as a subject matter expert to support research and development efforts.

Research

• Analyze corporate or customer requirements to develop, design, and deliver strategy documentation.


• Analyze data using mathematical/statistical methods.


• Analyze data using appropriate tool set.


• Analyze new and existing applications, technologies, and/or architectures to solve design, development, and operational problems.


• Analyze problems to facilitate technical solutions.


• Leverage research approaches and methodologies.


• Establish research objectives.


• Identify research questions.


• Document processes, analyses, and/or research findings.


• Review scientific or technical literature to support research efforts.


• Conduct research, including studies, experiments, and investigations.


• Research emerging technologies for application(s) within the Agency.


• Evaluate research for practical application.


• Gather business and user requirements; partner with the development team to develop the operational and system requirements.


• Conduct reviews to validate functional, operational, or user requirements.

Design

• Develop conceptual designs or models to address user and stakeholder needs.


• Design and modify user interfaces, web applications and other technologies.


• Perform high-level design, specifying system and component performance and interface requirements.


• Develop a design plan for custom hardware or software based on requirements.


• Use modeling or simulation to evaluate designs.


• Design and develop web-based documentation.


• Design and/or create artwork or graphics for print, electronic products, exhibits, or displays.


• Design communication campaigns and strategies.


• Design, create, and implement websites.


• Update and create web-based collaborative tools and technologies.

Develop/Implement

• Build software prototypes.


• Develop test plans to evaluate software.


• Develop test procedures to ensure conformity with specifications or standards.


• Provide feedback to application developers.


• Develop functional, operational, or user requirements.


• Develop solution designs.


• Develop multimedia products, integrating text, computer graphics, conventional art, photographs, or other media.


• Create and/or manage images (for example, photographs) using digital and analog imaging technologies and databases.


• Develop research approaches and methodologies.


• Develop a test plan for custom hardware or software based on requirements.


• Execute a software or hardware test plan.

Evaluate/Test

• Test applications to validate functional, operational, or user requirements.


• Evaluate and test websites and applications for Accessibility as required under Section 508.


• Evaluate or test computer applications or programs for usability in order to meet performance objectives.


• Communicate identified defects in developed hardware or software to development team.


• Evaluate the results of a software or hardware test.


• Evaluate a software or hardware test plan.


• Analyze current tools for proper functionality.


• Evaluate or test computer applications or programs to ensure compliance with technical, professional legal and/or organizational standards/requirements.


• Analyze user/customer requirements related to software and/or software system design.


• Evaluate solution designs.


• Conduct front-end analyses.

Pay

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $57,736 - $133,142 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

DCIPS Trial Period

DCIPS Trial Period:If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

Equal Opportunity

NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.