UX/UI Designer

About Skyward

Skyward is a people-first organization focused on improving lives through information technology and civic tech work. The team values integrity, compassion, curiosity, unconventional thinking, and authenticity, with a collaborative culture built around trust, truth, and transparency.

Role Overview

This position is for a UX/UI Designer who can translate research into thoughtful digital experiences and also contribute production-ready front-end code. The work blends user research, interaction design, accessibility, information architecture, and implementation in React.

What You’ll Do

• Translate user research into practical design decisions by conducting interviews, creating personas, mapping journeys, and developing service blueprints.
• Move designs from Figma into production-ready front-end work using React, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, helping close the gap between design and release.
• Create dashboards, knowledge-graph explorers, and other data visualizations that make information easier to understand and act on.
• Build interfaces that comply with Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 AA standards, with accessibility treated as a core requirement from the beginning.
• Promote the U.S. Web Design System and federal design standards to keep products consistent and polished.
• Plan and run usability testing, gather feedback, and improve designs using an iterative learn-build-measure approach inspired by USDS and 18F practices.
• Organize content, navigation, and page structure so users can complete tasks efficiently and without confusion.
• Use web analytics to observe user behavior and guide future design improvements.

What We’re Looking For

• A portfolio that demonstrates both strategic thinking and strong visual/interface design execution.
• Hands-on front-end development capability, especially with responsive and accessible interfaces in React.
• Comfort with modern design collaboration tools such as Figma, Mural, and Dovetail.
• Practical knowledge of human-centered design methods, including research, testing, prototyping, and synthesis.
• Working knowledge of accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG 2.0.
• Experience using USWDS or similar government or enterprise design systems.
• Strong empathy for users and an ability to design for real needs.
• A collaborative attitude, humility, and willingness to share work early and receive feedback well.

Preferred Experience

• Background designing products with heavy data use or AI-driven interactions, such as dashboards, search experiences, chat tools, or knowledge systems.
• Federal or civic-tech project experience, especially in agile agency environments.

Benefits and Perks

• Fully employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• 15 days of paid leave.
• 7 days of sick leave.
• 2 days of bereavement leave.
• 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 40 hours for jury duty.
• 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution and no vesting period.
• Up to 4 weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Company-provided laptop.
• $5,000 annually for professional development.
• $600 annually for technical supplies and equipment.
• $2,000 referral bonus.
• Life and disability insurance.
• HSA and FSA options.
• Voluntary Legal Shield and ID Shield benefits.
• A collaborative team environment focused on modernizing government services with advanced technology.

Compensation and Working Conditions

The salary for this role is stated at $95,000 to $125,000 per year. Skyward emphasizes fair and transparent compensation in line with Maryland law. The company also supports flexible working hours and remote work to help maintain work-life balance.

Additional Conditions

Employment offers are contingent on passing a background investigation. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance because the role supports government-contract work.

Skyward notes that AI tools may be used during parts of the hiring process, such as resume review or response analysis. These tools support the recruitment team, but final decisions are made by people. Applicants may contact the company for more information about data processing.

Who Should Apply

Skyward encourages candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification, as long as they bring the right mix of skills, motivation, and potential to grow.