Design Lead

Role Overview

• Serve as the primary authority for UX/UI strategy and execution
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of user needs and the approved design approach, ensuring consistent implementation across development teams
• Define and enforce design standards, style guides, and interaction patterns across all modules of the acquisitions system
• Ensure cohesive user journeys across pre-award, award, and post-award acquisition lifecycle activities
• Lead the full UX lifecycle, including research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative refinement
• Translate complex acquisition workflows into intuitive, accessible, and efficient user experiences
• Design workflows that reduce cognitive load and training burden for the federal acquisition workforce (AWF), improving adoption and productivity
• Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes
• Ensure design solutions align with both user needs and federal regulatory requirements
• Operate effectively within an Agile or Scrum framework, managing a backlog of design work and supporting sprint-based delivery
• Conduct rapid prototyping and iterative testing to validate design decisions
• Collaborate closely with Product Owners and Technical Leads to ensure designs are feasible and aligned with technical architecture
• Support sprint reviews, demonstrations, and continuous improvement efforts
• Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch)
• Ensure design specifications translate effectively into CI/CD pipelines and AWS cloud deployment environments
• Promote secure, performant, and maintainable front-end architectures in collaboration with engineering teams
• Apply fundamental design principles, including color theory, typography, layout, and grid systems, to ensure high-quality and consistent work
• Ensure compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards and federal usability guidelines
• Support documentation of design decisions, style systems, and user research findings
• Work effectively with engineering, product management, and government stakeholders to align design efforts with overall product vision
• Facilitate design reviews and feedback sessions
• Mentor designers and foster a collaborative, user-centered culture
• Clearly communicate design rationale, tradeoffs, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience serving as a Design Lead (or equivalent role) on complex web-based or enterprise platforms
• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or Sketch
• Deep understanding of UX/UI principles and full project lifecycle design practices
• Proven ability to work within Agile or Scrum development environments
• Strong understanding of modern web technologies and front-end technical constraints
• Experience designing secure, scalable interfaces deployed within cloud environments such as AWS
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills

Tech Stack

• AWS
• Cloud

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible work hours
• Paid time off
• Remote work options