Entry Level Motion Graphics Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

Position Description: CGI Federal has an exciting opportunity for Graphics Specialists within our Intel sector advancing the national security mission through cutting edge technology. You must have a passion for keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology advancements and leveraging your knowledge on a highly collaborative team to deliver state-of-the-art capabilities. The Graphics Specialist supports the creative team by executing basic design concepts, editing visual assets, and adapting existing artwork. Responsibilities include preparing layouts for print or digital media, resizing images, and ensuring brand consistency. CGI Federal is growing its high-performance team whose members share a passion for building high-quality, scalable, advanced IT solutions in a collaborative, fast-paced, outcome-driven mission. This position is located in our Arlington office; however, a hybrid working model is acceptable. Your future duties and responsibilities: Key Responsibilities (Entry Level)
Asset Production: Create and format graphics for social media, websites, email campaigns, and presentations.
Image Editing: Resize, crop, and retouch photographs using standard software (e.g., removing backgrounds or color correcting).
Brand Compliance: Strictly apply and maintain existing brand guidelines (using correct fonts, logos, and color palettes) for all materials.
File Management: Organize, label, and archive working design files to ensure easy access for the team.
Feedback Implementation: Make revisions and adjustments to design drafts based on input from senior designers or project managers. Key Responsibilities (Junior Level)
• Design Execution: Create digital assets (social media graphics, web banners, email templates) and print materials (flyers, brochures, posters) under the direction of senior staff.
• Brand Consistency: Apply established brand guidelines to all projects, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across all platforms.
• Revisions & Edits: Accurately update creative files throughout various rounds of reviews and client feedback.
• File Preparation: Prepare and organize files for print (e.g., setting up bleeds and color profiles) or digital output.
• Asset Management: Catalog, archive, and maintain an organized database of design assets, templates, and working files.
• Cross-Functional Support: Assist the marketing and communications teams with miscellaneous design, presentation formatting, or administrative tasks. Key Responsibilities (Mid-Level)
• Creative Conception: Interpret client or stakeholder briefs to develop high-level visual concepts, wireframes, and prototypes for various platforms.
• Asset Production: Design complex promotional materials, UX/UI layouts, infographics, motion graphics, and interactive digital/print assets.
• Project Management: Track creative assets, manage timelines, define production specifications, and collaborate with vendors or printers.
• Brand Stewardship: Ensure rigid adherence to brand guidelines while maintaining consistent typography, layout, and color hierarchy across all projects.
• Quality Assurance: Perform advanced image retouching, compositing, color correction, and digital imposition before final delivery.
• Mentorship & Workflow: Guide less experienced team members, participate in team meetings, and optimize creative workflows. Key Responsibilities (Senior Level)
• Visual Strategy & Direction: Conceptualizing and executing highly technical, multi-disciplinary design solutions.
• Advanced Technical Skills: Master-level proficiency in industry-standard tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or UI/UX and 3D rendering software).
• Cross-Media Execution: Translating a single brand identity into cohesive web, print, motion graphics, and interactive experiences.
• Complex Project Ownership: Manage and design highly complex graphics projects with multiple media applications simultaneously. Translates ambiguous requirements into structured, visually compelling strategies.
• Brand Governance: Maintain strict brand consistency and architecture across global or enterprise-level communication channels.
• Pre-Press & Production Mastery: Ensure all digital files for diverse platforms (print, offset press, web CMS, digital delivery) meet highly technical specifications and accessibility standards.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a subject matter expert, guiding junior designers, conferring with senior leadership, and coordinating with external vendors and printers.
• Quality Assurance: Review all design deliverables for technical accuracy, flawless typography, color correction, and adherence to production standards. Key Responsibilities (Senior Level)
• Advanced Visual Communication: Translates highly complex, data-heavy, or abstract concepts into infographics, technical drawings, and immersive 3D/2D visual assets.
• Art Direction & Concept Development: Conceptualizes and directs the execution of brand identities, large-scale displays, and multimedia campaigns.
• Project & Vendor Management: Manages the full lifecycle of major design projects, from initial prototype testing to pre-press, production, and final delivery. Coordinates with external vendors and print shops.
• Technical Lead & Process Optimization: Defines design standards, establishes template libraries, and implements process improvement solutions for complex graphics activities.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Reviews the work of junior and mid-level graphics staff, providing technical direction, feedback, and artistic guidance. Required qualifications to be successful in this role: Al roles require an active TS/SCI with Poly Entry Level:
• Education: o High School Diploma/GED with 4 years of relevant experience,
o Associates Degree with 2 years of relevant experience, o or Bachelor's Degree with 0 years of relevant experience
• Software Proficiency: Foundational understanding of design tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign).
• Design Fundamentals: Solid understanding of typography, color theory, and composition.
• Organization: Ability to manage multiple minor projects and meet daily deadlines.
• Communication: Openness to receiving constructive feedback and a willingness to collaborate with team members. Junior Level/Moderate:
• Education: o High School Diploma/GED with 6 years of relevant experience,
o Associates Degree with 4 years of relevant experience, o Bachelor's Degree with 2 years of relevant experience, o or Masters Degree with 0 years of relevant experience
• Software Fluency: Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Communication: Ability to confidently present rough drafts, discuss project briefs, and incorporate constructive feedback.
• Time Management: Capable of handling multiple simultaneous tasks and meeting set deadlines. Mid-Level/Complex:
• Education: o High School Diploma/GED with 8 years of relevant experience,
o Associates Degree with 6 years of relevant experience, o Bachelor's Degree with 4 years of relevant experience, o or Masters Degree with 2 years of relevant experience,
o or PhD with 0 years of relevant experience
• Software: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects).
• Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of motion graphics, UX/UI design principles, web design (HTML/CSS basics), and pre-press print production.
• Visual Storytelling: Ability to translate abstract or technical data into engaging, accessible visual narratives.
• Client Consultation: Strong communication skills for presenting concepts, managing feedback, and negotiating project scope.
• Time Management: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple complex design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Senior Level/Exceptionally Complex:
• Education: o High School Diploma/GED with 10 years of relevant experience,
o Associates Degree with 8 years of relevant experience, o Bachelor's Degree with 6 years of relevant experience, o or Masters Degree with 4 years of relevant experience,
o or PhD with 2 years of relevant experience
• Interpersonal: Exceptional communication skills to present ideas and negotiate effectively with internal stakeholders and outside vendors. SME Level/Exceptionally Complex:
• Education: o High School Diploma/GED with 12 years of relevant experience,
o Associates Degree with 10 years of relevant experience, o Bachelor's Degree with 8 years of relevant experience, o or Masters Degree with 6 years of relevant experience,
o or PhD with 4 years of relevant experience
• Software Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard software suites, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects).
• Technical Design: Proficiency in UX/UI design, HTML/CSS, motion graphics, 3D modeling/rendering, and cross-media design integration.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional problem-solving abilities, high-level client consultation, and the capacity to balance budget limits with high-end creative expectations. CGI is required by law in some jurisdictions to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors not limited to skill set, level, experience, relevant training, and licensure and certifications. To support the ability to reward for merit-based performance, CGI typically does not hire individuals at or near the top of the range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for this role in the U.S. is $89,600.00 - $204,000.00. CGI Federal's benefits are offered to eligible professionals on their first day of employment to include: . Competitive compensation
. Comprehensive insurance options
. Matching contributions through the 401(k) plan and the share purchase plan
. Paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick tim