UX Designer II Job at Shadow Strategies in Columbia

Overview Shadow Strategies is seeking a User Experience Designer II to support the design and delivery of intuitive, mission-driven user interfaces for next-generation tools used across the Intelligence Community. In this role, you’ll bridge user needs and system capabilities—translating complex workflows into clear, effective visual solutions that improve performance and usability. You’ll work within a collaborative, agile environment alongside developers, analysts, and engineers to modernize critical systems. If you’re passionate about turning challenges into elegant interfaces and thrive in a fast-moving mission space, this is where your impact starts.

What You’ll Do Design intuitive and responsive user interfaces that streamline critical user workflows

Create mockups, wireframes, and prototypes using tools such as PenPot, Axure, and Adobe Creative Cloud

Collaborate closely with developers, system engineers, and product managers to deliver thoughtful, user-centered solutions

Support user research efforts to define personas, map workflows, and validate design decisions

Contribute to design consistency across applications and participate in multi-team coordination

Required Skills & Experience Proven ability to translate complex systems and requirements into clean, usable designs

Demonstrated experience designing cross-application user experiences

Strong communication and collaboration skills, especially in cross-functional development teams

Expertise in UI prototyping and visual communication

Skilled in the creation of interface elements such as menus, tabs, widgets, and dashboards

Preferred Qualifications Background as an analyst, mission user, or SME within a national security setting

Experience working in Agile software development environments

Familiarity with accessibility principles and secure design practices

Experience and Education Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Human-Centered Design, or a related field with 7 years of experience

OR 12 years of experience without a degree

Why Shadow Work onsite in Columbia, MD, with up to 2 days of telework per week. Contribute to mission-critical technologies that shape national security operations. Be part of a team that values precision, creativity, and people-first design.

What Comes With It Fully covered health insurance — medical, dental, vision

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

Flexible leave — 36 days (25 PTO 11 holidays)

401(k) — for your future

Short- and long-term disability — because life happens

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. 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.

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.

Shadow Strategies

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