Associate UX Designer
Location: Columbia, MD (Hybrid, up to 2 days telework per week)
Salary Range: $90,000 to $120,000
Security Clearance: TS/SCI with FS Polygraph

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

We are hiring an Associate UX Designer to support the design and improvement of national security tools that shape mission outcomes. This is an opportunity for early-career designers to grow in a collaborative environment focused on real-world impact and user-first design.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to user research efforts by documenting workflows, personas, tasks, and key scenarios

• Assist in the creation of mockups, wireframes, and interface specifications

• Collaborate with teammates and developers to ensure user needs are accurately reflected in the final product

• Help plan and conduct usability testing to improve function and design

• Participate in regular design reviews and team discussions to ensure alignment and quality

Required Skills and Experience

• Ability to translate complex ideas into intuitive interface components

• Experience working with design tools such as PenPot, Adobe XD, and Adobe Creative Cloud

• Clear communication and a collaborative mindset

• Understanding of user-centered design principles

• Exposure to UX processes through academic training or work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a user or analyst within mission-focused environments

• Familiarity with UI prototyping and visual design tools

• Background in Human-Centered Design, Human Factors, or related disciplines

Years of Experience and Degree Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field

• No professional experience required with a qualifying degree

• Without a degree: 5 years of relevant experience

Work Environment

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

• Collaborative and mission-focused UX team

• High-impact projects supporting intelligence and national security

What You’ll Know Up Front

At Shadow, we don’t wait until the offer to talk about value. We are transparent because we respect your time and your talent.

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- and long-term disability

• Annual health stipend if you opt out of Shadow’s insurance

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.

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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.

https://www.shadowstrategies.io/