UX Designer, Mission-Driven Interface Design

Shadow Strategies, LLC; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully covered health insurance

Paid parental leave

Flexible leave

401(k)

Disability insurance

Annual health stipend

Job summary

Shadow Strategies, LLC is seeking a multi-level UX designer to shape interfaces for analysts and mission teams in Columbia, MD. You will design intuitive, data-dense UIs and collaborate with engineers and researchers to deliver user-centered solutions.

You will create wireframes and prototypes with PenPot, Axure, and Adobe Creative Cloud, conduct usability testing, and help ensure consistency across applications in a high-stakes environment.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate complex systems into clean, usable designs.
• Demonstrated experience designing cross-application user experiences.
• Strong communication and collaboration within cross-functional teams.
• Expertise in UI prototyping and visual communication.
• Skilled in creating interface elements such as menus, tabs, widgets, and dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Design intuitive and responsive user interfaces that streamline critical user workflows.
• Create mockups, wireframes, and prototypes using PenPot, Axure, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Collaborate closely with developers, system engineers, and product managers to deliver user-centered solutions.
• Support user research to define personas, map workflows, and validate design decisions.
• Contribute to design consistency across applications and participate in multi-team coordination.

Skills

UX design

Wireframes/Prototypes

Cross-functional collaboration

Usability testing

Design systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Human-Centered Design, or related field

Tools

PenPot

Axure

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

This is a multi-level ongoing UX pipeline position.

Location: Columbia, MD

Telework: TBD, subject to manager approval and tasking

Clearance Required: TS/SCI with Polygraph

Salary Range: $110,000 to $260,000

At Shadow Strategies, you will join a culture defined by innovation, purpose, and meaningful impact. We seek multiple levels who design interfaces that support analysts, operators, and mission teams by creating wireframes, prototypes, and interaction flows that improve clarity, performance, and trust in data-dense, high-pressure, and field-use environments. If you are inspired by complexity, motivated by clarity, and committed to excellence, we invite you to become part of something exceptional.

This role supports the design of systems used by analysts, operators, and mission teams in high-stakes environments where interfaces must communicate complex information clearly and perform effectively under pressure. You will serve as an individual contributor designing user interfaces and interaction flows, collaborating with engineers, researchers, and mission stakeholders, and conducting in-context usability testing and observation of operational workflows using wireframes, prototypes, and interaction flows. Your work enables tools to improve clarity, usability, performance, and user trust so mission teams can make informed decisions when it matters most.

What You'll Do

• Design intuitive and responsive user interfaces that streamline critical user workflows
• Create mockups, wireframes, and prototypes using PenPot, Axure, and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Collaborate closely with developers, system engineers, and product managers to deliver user-centered solutions
• Support user research to define personas, map workflows, and validate design decisions
• Contribute to design consistency across applications and participate in multi-team coordination

Who This Might Be a Fit For

• You have experience simplifying complex workflows into intuitive user experiences
• You are comfortable taking ownership appropriate to your level while working through complex mission challenges with support when needed
• You understand how users, engineers, researchers, and mission stakeholders intersect throughout the design process
• You prefer clarity over cleverness and durable solutions over quick fixes
• You collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and communicate design decisions with clarity

Required Skills

• Proven ability to translate complex systems and requirements into clean, usable designs
• Demonstrated experience designing cross-application user experiences
• Strong communication and collaboration skills within cross-functional development teams
• Expertise in UI prototyping and visual communication
• Skilled in creating interface elements such as menus, tabs, widgets, and dashboards

Helpful Experience Areas

• Background as an analyst, mission user, or subject matter expert within a national security setting
• Experience working in Agile software development environments
• Familiarity with accessibility principles and secure design practices

Years of Experience and Degree Requirements

Requirements will depend on what level you are being considered for, but at minimum we require a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Human-Centered Design, or a related field and 5 years of experience

OR 9 years of experience without a degree

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Work Environment

Based in Columbia, MD Primary in office with potential of up to 2 days telework per week in Columbia, MD Travel based on mission needs to engage operators, support research, facilitate working sessions, and brief stakeholders Multidisciplinary teams supporting mission systems in classified environments Ownership expectations depend on the level under consideration. Junior contributors are trusted to work independently while building experience with guidance and resources. Senior individual contributors are trusted to shape experience direction and connect evidence to execution.

What Comes With It

You will have what you need to do your best work:

• Fully covered health insurance for medical, dental, and vision
• Paid parental leave: 16 weeks if you give birth, 4 weeks if your partner does
• Flexible leave: 36 days total each year, including 25 days of PTO and 11 paid holidays
• 401(k) for your future
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Annual health stipend if you opt out of our insurance

The Extras?

They're Built In.

No points systems. No bean bags. Just clarity, autonomy, and a mission that matters.

Shadow invests in exceptional people because demanding work requires more than a paycheck. Our benefits are designed to provide meaningful support inside and outside the mission.

See our benefit plan at: https://www.shadowstrategies.io/benefits

Shadow Strategies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workplace that values diversity and fosters inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.