UI/UX Lead (Sr Design & Strategy) - Aurora, CO

UI/UX Lead (Senior Design & Strategy) Aurora, CO - This opportunity will be posted on an ongoing basis. ICR is a rapidly growing employee‑owned company focused on solving the hardest problems for the US Government. Join our team in Aurora, CO, to help govern unstructured data and promote data literacy throughout the Command. We are seeking a seasoned UI/UX Lead with over 10 years of experience to drive user‐centered design strategies, mentor a growing design team, and deliver intuitive, high‑impact products for complex government missions. This position is based in our Aurora, CO office with a potential hybrid work environment. Essential Duties And Responsibilities Lead the end‑to‑end design lifecycle for complex data governance and command‑and‑control applications, from discovery and research to high‑fidelity prototyping and final handoff. Translate complex business requirements and operational constraints into clear, actionable user journeys, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and comprehensive design specifications. Establish and evolve a scalable Design System and UI component library to ensure consistency, accessibility (Section 508/WCAG), and efficiency across multiple product lines. Conduct and oversee user research initiatives, including interviews, usability testing, and heuristic evaluations, to validate design decisions and uncover user needs within classified environments. Collaborate closely with Software Engineers, Data Scientists, and Product Managers to ensure technical feasibility and alignment with data pipeline capabilities (AWS/Azure). Mentor junior and mid‑level designers, fostering a culture of critique, continuous improvement, and design excellence. Define and track key UX metrics and KPIs to measure the success of design interventions and demonstrate ROI on design investments. Present design concepts, research findings, and strategic roadmaps to senior leadership, stakeholders, and government partners with clarity and persuasion. Ensure all designs adhere to strict government security standards and usability requirements for mission‑critical systems. Bridge the gap between technical data structures and human‑centric interfaces, making complex unstructured data accessible and actionable for operators. Required Skills And Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human‑Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). Active Top Secret security clearance with SSBI and SCI access – US Citizenship required. 10+ years of professional experience in UI/UX design, with at least 4 years in a Lead or Principal role managing design strategy and teams. Familiarity with front‑end development frameworks (React, Angular, Vue) to facilitate better designer‑developer collaboration. Proven track record of shipping successful, large‑scale digital products, preferably within the Defense, Intelligence, or Government sectors. Expert proficiency in industry‑standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure). Deep understanding of information architecture, interaction design principles, and visual design systems. Strong experience designing for data‑heavy applications, dashboards, and complex workflow tools. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams using Agile/Scrum methodologies. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate design rationale to both technical and non‑technical audiences. High level of self‑initiative and the ability to lead design efforts with minimal supervision in a fast‑paced environment. Preferred Skills And Qualifications Master's degree in Human‑Computer Interaction, Design, or a related field. Experience working within US Government commands or on classified programs. Experience designing for Large Language Models (LLM) interfaces or AI‑driven data analysis tools. Knowledge of Section 508 compliance standards and experience conducting accessibility audits. Experience building and maintaining enterprise‑level Design Systems. Background in data visualization design (D3.js, Tableau integration concepts) for complex datasets. Certification in UX Research or Service Design. Experience with DevSecOps environments and integrating design into CI/CD pipelines. Salary Range: $180,000 - $240,000 This position offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes company equity, retirement plan, company‑paid health care benefits, flexible paid time off policy, and opportunity for a raise and bonus during the year. ICR, Inc. considers several factors when extending job offers, including but not limited to candidate's key skillset, relevant work and/or military experience, education, training, certifications and work location. ICR is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. #J-18808-Ljbffr ICR, Inc.