UX Designer I

Job description

UX Designer I

Location: Columbia, MD (Hybrid – up to 2 days telework per week)

Salary Range: $90,000 – $135,000 (commensurate with experience)

Security Clearance: TS//SCI FS

At Shadow Strategies, you will join a culture defined by innovation, purpose, and meaningful impact.

We seek driven individuals ready to bring their unique strengths to a dynamic team dedicated to solving critical challenges.

If you’re inspired by complexity, motivated by clarity, and committed to excellence, we invite you to become part of something exceptional.

Shadow is seeking a UX Designer to elevate user experience initiatives for mission-critical national security systems.

In this role, you’ll translate complex requirements into intuitive interfaces and workflows that empower analysts to perform at their best—ensuring every interaction is efficient, clear, and purposeful.

What You’ll Do:

• 
  

  Lead user research by designing and conducting surveys and focus groups to capture precise user requirements and pain points

  
  


• 
  

  Research and document detailed user workflows, personas, tasks, and scenarios to drive strategic design decisions

  
  


• 
  

  Plan and execute usability testing, synthesizing feedback to iterate rapidly on prototypes and high-fidelity mockups

  
  


• 
  

  Partner with cross-functional teams—developers, system engineers, project managers, and stakeholders—to translate design specifications into robust, user-centered solutions

  
  


• 
  

  Create and maintain comprehensive UI deliverables, including wireframes, interactive prototypes, and UI specification documents that guide development and testing

  
  

Required Skills & Experience:

• 
  

  Proven track record working directly with system end users—creating surveys and organizing focus groups—to gather actionable insights

  
  


• 
  

  Deep expertise in collaborating with application developers, product designers, and process engineers to craft detailed user interface specifications

  
  


• 
  

  Demonstrated ability to research and document user requirements, workflows, and scenarios that inform strategic design modifications

  
  


• 
  

  Strong leadership in planning and conducting usability tests, translating results into clear design improvements

  
  


• 
  

  Mastery of design tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe XD, and PenPot

  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• 
  

  Certifications in Human Factors Engineering, Human-Centered Computing, or related disciplines

  
  


• 
  

  Experience designing for accessibility and Section 508 compliance

  
  

Education & Experience Requirements:

• 
  

  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Human-Centered Design, or related field with 5 years of professional UX design experience
  
  OR

  
  


• 
  

  9 years of professional UX design experience without a degree

  
  

Work Environment:

• 
  

  Based in Columbia, MD, with up to 2 days of telework per week

  
  


• 
  

  Mission-focused team working on national-level priorities

  
  


• 
  

  Opportunities to innovate at every stage of UX strategy and execution

  
  

What You’ll Know Up Front

At Shadow, we don’t wait until the offer to talk about value.

We’re transparent because we respect your time and your talent.

The Range

For this role, the salary starts at $90,000 and can extend to $135,000.

Where you land depends on your experience, skills, and where you work.

We look at what you bring, not just where you’ve been.

What Comes With It

You’ll have what you need to do your best work:

• 
  

  Fully covered health insurance – medical, dental, vision

  
  


• 
  

  Paid parental leave – 16 weeks if you give birth, 4 if your partner does

  
  


• 
  

  Flexible leave – designed to support real life, not restrict it

  
  


• 
  

  401(k) – for your future

  
  


• 
  

  Short- and long-term disability – because life happens

  
  


• 
  

  Annual health stipend – if you opt out of our insurance

  
  

Shadow’s flexible leave policy is grounded in trust and built for impact.

Take the time you need—without jumping through hoops.

The Extras?

They’re Built In.

No points systems.

No bean bags.

Just clarity, autonomy, and a mission that matters.

Elite talent deserves elite support.

Our benefits empower you to excel professionally and personally, recognizing your value through comprehensive health coverage, disability protection, and meaningful well-being initiatives.

By investing in you, we ensure you have the tools, resources, and support you need to thrive — inside and outside of work.

See our benefit plan here.

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.

Required Skill Profession

Computer Occupations