UX/UI and QA SME (Hybrid, local to DC/MD/VA)

Responsibilities

• We are seeking a QA and User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Subject Matter Expert with government contracting experience.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and stakeholder interviews to inform design decisions.
• Develop wireframes, prototypes, and user flows to visualize and iterate on design concepts.
• Using tools like Figma to create low- and high-fidelity designs.
• Ensure compliance with federal accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG).
• Collaborate with developers, product managers, and federal stakeholders to align design with technical and mission requirements.
• Provide guidance on UX best practices and human-centered design methodologies.
• User Research & Analysis: Conducting interviews, surveys, and usability testing with federal stakeholders and end users.
• Interaction Design: Designing intuitive workflows and user interactions for complex systems.
• Visual Design: Applying design principles to create clean, accessible, and visually appealing interfaces.
• Information Architecture: Structuring content and navigation to support user goals and federal mission objectives.
• Accessibility Compliance: Deep knowledge of Section 508, WCAG 2.1, and inclusive design practices.
• S. Web Design System (USWDS): Experience implementing USWDS components and guidelines.
• Human-Centered Design (HCD): Familiarity with HCD processes as promoted by agencies like GSA and 18F.
• Security Awareness: Understanding of secure design principles and working within FedRAMP environments.
• Documentation & Reporting: Creating design documentation that meets federal standards and audit requirements.
• Navigate products and create manual test scripts or user guides
• Front-End Development Knowledge: HTML, CSS, JavaScript (not necessarily coding but understanding implementation).
• Agile/Scrum Methodologies: Working in iterative development cycles with cross-functional teams.
• Communicate effectively with federal clients, developers, and program managers.
• Navigate legacy systems and complex user needs to deliver modern solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5-8 years of experience in IT, or 9-12 years of additional relevant experience may be substituted for education.
• Demonstrated experience converting business processes into usable diagrams with personas documented for application development teams to quickly develop cards in Jira and software applications.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and MSFT Power Platform and Dynamics is a must.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma.
• Strong understanding of USWDS, HTML/CSS, and front-end development principles.
• Demonstrated experience with accessibility compliance and inclusive design.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience with legacy system modernization.
• Background in cognitive psychology or behavioral science.
• Certifications such as Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) or Human Factors International (HFI).