Senior UX Engineer

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional small business with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development, with headquarters in McLean, VA. Our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

About the role:

Raft is seeking a skilled Product Designer (UI/UX) to support a high-visibility DoD software factory building next-generation cyber capability development tools and DevSecOps automation. You'll create intuitive, user-centered interfaces for technical users operating in secure environments, translating complex workflows into elegant solutions that empower mission success. This role blends design expertise with frontend development capabilities to bridge the gap between design and implementation.

What You'll Do:

• Lead UI/UX design for DevSecOps pipelines and cyber development tools
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and translate findings into design improvements
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and user flows that simplify complex technical operations
• Build and maintain scalable design systems and style guidelines
• Implement frontend code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript/React) to bring designs to life
• Collaborate with Product Owners, engineers, and stakeholders to ensure design excellence
• Present design concepts to Government stakeholders and cross-functional teams
• Support Agile ceremonies and document design decisions for engineering handoff
• Iterate rapidly based on user feedback and evolving mission requirements

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related field (or 8 years relevant experience)
• 5+ years UI/UX or product design experience
• Experience designing complex, enterprise-level interfaces
• Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar tools
• Strong UX principles, information architecture, and interaction design skills
• Frontend development skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript (React, Vue, or Angular experience preferred)
• Experience with user research, usability testing, and design systems
• Portfolio demonstrating technical platform or enterprise application work

Highly Desired:

• Experience with developer tools, CI/CD workflows, or DevSecOps ecosystems
• Agile/Scrum experience and engineering team collaboration
• Understanding of security constraints and classified environment UX challenges
• Cloud platform interface design experience (AWS, Azure)
• Experience with component libraries, CSS frameworks (Tailwind, Bootstrap), and responsive design
• Git/version control proficiency
• Jira and Confluence proficiency

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Top Secret security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain SCI

Work Type: 

• Hybrid with onsite requirement in San Antonio, TX
• May require up to 15% travel

Salary Range:

• $120,000 - $150,000 
• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer you:

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education & training benefits
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And More!

Our Vision Statement: 

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission. 

Our Customer Obsession: 

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there? 

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm. 

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.