Interactive Designer Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

Location: Washington, District of Columbia District of Columbia North Carolina Colorado Texas

Compensation: $120,000 - 150,000 USD / year

Second Front Systems is looking for an unusually resourceful, detail-obsessed UX Designer to strengthen our product organization and customer-facing capabilities. Operating at the intersection of defense technology requirements and software usability, you will be responsible for designing interfaces and workflows for classified defense operations. You will conduct user research with warfighters and mission operators to validate design decisions, ensuring that systems remain intuitive under operational stress and meet accreditation standards. We need someone capable of translating complex mission requirements into clear, navigable product experiences; working within security constraints and government certification processes without compromising usability; and collaborating with engineers and product managers to deliver designs that deploy reliably in contested environments. As a key partner to product leadership, engineering, and end-user communities, you will shape the interface layer that determines warfighter effectiveness and mission success, serving as the voice of operator needs within product decisions.

Candidates must reside in one of our approved hiring hubs: DC/Maryland/Virginia Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC Denver/Colorado Springs, CO Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

• Drive prompt-to-prototype workflows using design and code to translate user needs and technical requirements into functional prototypes and high-fidelity interfaces.
• Partner in rapid feedback loops with engineering teams to build, test, and refine interactive prototypes and production features leveraging AI tools.
• Own the end-to-end user experience for deployment, configuration, and accreditation workflows within the customer application.
• Translate complex compliance and technical requirements into intuitive, accessible user journeys in collaboration with product managers and domain experts.
• Conduct user research with commercial software providers through interviews, usability testing, and surveys to uncover pain points and validate design directions.
• Maintain and scale the design system to ensure visual quality, accessibility, and interaction consistency across iteration cycles.
• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the product lifecycle, balancing user needs against technical feasibility and speed.

• 3+ years of professional experience as a Product Designer, UX Designer, or UI Designer for complex web applications or SaaS products.
• Proven proficiency with design and code and Figma for prompt-to-prototype workflows and design systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work synchronously with AI-assisted engineering teams in fast-paced, collaborative agile environments.
• Strong portfolio showing design process, problem-solving, and real-world examples of simplifying complex technical workflows into user-friendly applications.
• Experience executing user research methodologies and translating feedback into actionable design adjustments.
• Solid grounding in information architecture, interaction design, visual hierarchy, and user-centered design principles.
• Familiarity with government compliance frameworks such as ATO, FedRAMP, or NIST 800-53 and accreditation workflows.
• U.S. citizenship required due to government contract requirements.

The base salary for this position will fall between $120,000 and $150,000. Your ultimate compensation will be determined by professional background, technical proficiency, seniority, and regional cost factors. Furthermore, this opportunity includes potential eligibility for equity awards and discretionary bonuses, rounding out a comprehensive total rewards offering.

• A proactive and solutions oriented mindset
• Viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth
• Having a bias toward action and tangible, measurable results
• Being team-oriented with a focus on personal responsibility and autonomy

This role is a full time position. As a public benefit corporation, we're a team of purpose-driven trailblazers transforming the future of U.S. national security. We hire the best to do their best and, as such, we are committed to providing the perks and benefits you need to be successful—both in-and outside the workplace.

• Competitive salary
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
• 401(k) with a 3% company contribution
• Comprehensive wellness benefits, including a One Medical membership, mental health resources, family planning support, and more
• Equity incentive plan
• New hire technology and home office stipend
• Annual professional development stipend
• Flexible paid time off, plus all federal holidays
• Generous parental leave
• Flexible remote work opportunities
• Employee referral bonus program

One last thing: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.