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Design Strategist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Director, Product Design - Accelerator

Mclean, VA · On-site

$156K - $192K/yr

Strategic Ownership: Beyond managing day-to-day operations and team outputs, independently help define the vision for integration experiences, build the Design roadmap, and proactively identify ...

Director, Product Design

Herndon, VA

$159K - $195K/yr

Strategically propel, craft, and safeguard the company's Product Design team's vision, steering the product design strategy and roadmap. * Build an AI-native design practice, integrating AI across ...

Director, Product Design

Herndon, VA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

Strategically propel, craft, and safeguard the company's Product Design team's vision, steering the product design strategy and roadmap. * Build an AI-native design practice, integrating AI across ...

Director, Product Design

Herndon, VA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

Strategically propel, craft, and safeguard the company's Product Design team's vision, steering the product design strategy and roadmap. * Build an AI-native design practice, integrating AI across ...

Director, Product Design - Accelerator

Mclean, VA · On-site

$156K - $192K/yr

Strategic Ownership: Beyond managing day-to-day operations and team outputs, independently help define the vision for integration experiences, build the Design roadmap, and proactively identify ...

Management Solution Architecture & Design * Architect end-to-end PMO structures, organizational ... Lead management volume strategy from capture through submission, establishing win themes ...

Director, Product Design - Accelerator

Mclean, VA · On-site

$156K - $192K/yr

Strategic Ownership: Beyond managing day-to-day operations and team outputs, independently help define the vision for integration experiences, build the Design roadmap, and proactively identify ...

Management Solution Architecture & Design * Architect end-to-end PMO structures, organizational ... Lead management volume strategy from capture through submission, establishing win themes ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Strategist information

See Virginia salary details

$29.2K

$91.3K

$134.8K

How much do design strategist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for design strategist in Virginia is $91,336.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,300.00 and $93,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design strategist?

A Design Strategist blends design thinking, business strategy, and user research to create innovative solutions that align with an organization's goals. They analyze market trends, user needs, and business objectives to ensure that design decisions drive meaningful impact. By collaborating with cross-functional teams, they help shape products, services, and brand experiences. Their role is to bridge the gap between creativity and strategy, ensuring that design solutions are both user-centered and business-viable.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a design strategist?

On a typical day, a Design Strategist collaborates with cross-functional teams to conduct user research, analyze market trends, and translate findings into actionable design recommendations. They often lead workshops, create journey maps, and prototype solutions to align stakeholders around user-centered strategies. In addition to hands-on design work, they also present ideas to clients or leadership and ensure proposed solutions meet both business and user objectives. The role balances strategic planning and creative exploration, making adaptability and communication key aspects of daily work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the design strategist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Strategist, you need expertise in design thinking, user research, and business strategy, often supported by a degree in design, business, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro, and project management platforms—as well as certifications such as Design Thinking or UX Strategy—are commonly valued. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies ensure you can translate insights into actionable design solutions that meet both user needs and business objectives.

How much do design strategists make in the US?

Design strategists in the US typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in user experience, branding, or research may command higher salaries.

What does a design strategist do?

A design strategist is responsible for developing and implementing design solutions that align with business goals and user needs. They analyze market trends, conduct user research, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to create innovative, effective designs. Proficiency in design tools and strategic thinking are essential for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Design Strategist jobs in Virginia?

For Design Strategist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Design Strategist jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Design Strategist job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Strategist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,336 per year, or $43.9 per hour.

$126K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services


Job description


SAIC is seeking a visionary Management Volume SME & Strategist to architect and direct the management solutions for our most critical pursuits. This is a hybrid opportunity, and candidates must be located in Reston, VA or surrounding areas.
As the definitive Subject Matter Expert for management volumes, you will serve as the chief architect of how SAIC executes complex programs. You will partner directly with Program Managers, Capture Managers, Technical Solution Architects, and Executive Leadership to conceptualize management frameworks that de-risk program delivery.
The ideal candidate is a GovCon capture veteran and operational visionary, with experience managing programs or projects, who can look at a complex RFP, instantly identify the management risks, and design a modern PMO structure that proves to evaluators that SAIC is the undeniable low-risk, high-velocity choice. You will lead the conceptualization, direct the volume's strategic development, and orchestrate teams of writers and operational SMEs to bring your management vision to life.
Key Responsibilities:
Management Solution Architecture & Design
  • Architect end-to-end PMO structures, organizational designs, governance models, and execution methodologies - including stakeholder management frameworks and communication strategies - tailored to the scope and complexity of each opportunity
  • Engineer risk management frameworks with quantitative analysis, predictive modeling, and automated early-warning systems

Capture Strategy & Win Theme Development
  • Lead management volume strategy from capture through submission, establishing win themes, discriminators, and ghost strategies in collaboration with Capture and BD
  • Synthesize customer intelligence into management solution design decisions
  • Collaborate with Competitive Intelligence to develop competitive positioning strategies that exploit competitor weaknesses while showcasing SAIC's superiority
  • Advise on evaluation criteria interpretation and scoring maximization strategies

Team Orchestration
  • Collaborate with LSA on solutioning for overall cohesion across volumes
  • Provide clear strategic guidance to writers, graphic designers, and SMEs
  • Lead/participate in solutioning sessions and architecture reviews with cross-functional teams
  • Serve as the authoritative voice in color team reviews, adjudicating comments and making final strategic decisions

Innovation & Knowledge Management
  • Develop next-generation management frameworks and reusable architectural patterns
  • Maintain competitive intelligence and analyze proposal debriefs to continuously refine methodology
  • Mentor management volume strategists and writers, building SAIC's bench strength

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Technical Writing, Business, Finance, Project Management, or a related discipline and 18+ years of experience, or a Masters and 16+ years of experience, or a PhD or JD and 15+ years of experience. An additional 4+ years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • 15+ years in government contracting with program management, capture, or proposal leadership experience
  • 8+ years of direct management volume strategy for competitive proposals valued at $500M+
  • Demonstrated program management background with deep operational understanding across multiple domains (IT, Engineering, Cloud, etc.)
  • Proven win record where management approach was a key discriminator
  • Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • PMP, PgMP, and/or APMP Professional certification
  • Experience across DoD, IC, and civilian agency pursuits; track record on $1B+ single-award wins
  • Prior Capture Manager experience; Six Sigma, ITIL, Agile, or equivalent credentials
  • Experience with AI/ML, cloud migration, digital transformation, or DevSecOps programs

About Us
SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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