Description

The DarkStar Group is seeking a UI/UX Designer with a TS/SCI + Poly clearance (applicable to this customer) to join one of our top projects in Tysons, VA.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team provides tactical data engineering solutions. We embed skilled Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and ETL Developers directly into intelligence analyst groups to be their go-to data wranglers.  We develop new tools, code, and services to execute data engineering activities.  Our engineers work to collect, process, and feed analytic tools, turning data into intelligence in response to immediate mission needs, with direct impact on real world situations.  You will see your work used here on a daily basis, and you'll have the opportunity to support a variety of Sponsor mission organizations and mission partner organizations.

This is a time of development and growth on the program, with an increasing number of missions being supported.  The work is high impact and important, and the customer moves quickly.  The environment is fast-paced, flexible, and open to innovation - you'll have more latitude here in choosing how to achieve results than on many other projects.  The customer cares more about what you can do as opposed to your years of experience, and work hours are typically quite flexible - roll up your sleeves, get things done, and no one cares much about the specific hours that you work.  The work space itself is also quite nice, and there is an excellent cafeteria!

The tech stack on this team is rather huge and includes Python (Pandas, numpy, scipy, scikit-learn, standard libraries, etc.), Python packages that wrap Machine Learning (packages for NLP, Object Detection, etc.), Linux, AWS/C2S, Apache NiFi, Spark, pySpark, Hadoop, Kafka, ElasticSearch, Solr, Kibana, neo4J, MariaDB, Postgres, Docker, Puppet, and many others. 

Work on this program takes place in Chantilly, VA, McLean, VA and in various field offices throughout Northern VA (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS/SCI + Polygraph clearance (acceptable to this customer).

THE ROLE 

• Collaborate to define a future customer experience-led vision for the business, and required capabilities to deliver it. Assess the impact and contribute to the business case. Conduct business analysis and opportunity modeling through stakeholder interviews and customer experience touchpoint design. Lead customer-centric strategy focused project streams and pitches. Ensure alignment with defined business goals throughout the service design process and the creation of services roadmaps. Interpret customer needs to effectively communicate and present service strategies. Inform Go To Market strategy for experiences to maximize value.
• A creative problem solver and design leader, skilled in the team sport of crafting solutions that are smart, simple and lovable. You analyze the needs of the target users and how they perform tasks to create an optimized user experience.  Expertly apply complex user interface & interaction design principles. Guide persona, archetype, or mindset development, user journey/flow creation, task analysis, and information architecture creation. Define & guide the planning, execution, & synthesis of user research and usability testing, and ensure research translates into meaningful ideation and actionable recommendations.

Required Skills

• 5-8+ years experience delivering interface design solutions for clients
• 5+ Years experience demonstrating proficiency or expertise in relevant professional design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (with an emphasis on XD), InVision, and more.
• 5+ years experience with user research and usability testing
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills, including facilitation of small to large groups (5-30+ people)
• Ability to provide clear, articulate rationale for design choices and approach
• Expertise with Agile methodology and ability to work in iterative product design cycles
• Bachelor’s degree

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Experience using scrappy design tools like paper and slides
• Background in Software Engineering or familiarity with custom development practices to effectively communicate with a highly technical, multidisciplinary team
• Experience delivering design products across multiple networks
• Experience leading teams of designers/creatives (3-7+ people)
• Ability to translate user research findings into design requirements and design deliverables

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

• very strong salaries;
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
• the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
• a generously-funded HSA;
• an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
• 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
• the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
• a generous training budget;
• $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
• business development / growth incentives; and
• top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.