Graphic Designer

About Agile Defense

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That's why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility-leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation's vital interests.

Requisition #: 1730

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Location: Washington, D.C.

Job Description

We are looking for a Graphic Designer to join a fast pace team! The employee shall provide computer-generated graphics and creative consultation in order to develop original artwork, visual aids, and typographic layout. Computer-generated products must be created specifically as required by project for either print media or digital display. The individual shall create graphics for websites, social media, digital displays (e.g., TV monitors), and printed products, among others. The products may be delivered to the customer in various formats as required, including, jpg, PDF, etc.

The Contractor shall also provide creative consultation and production services in order to develop various publications including, but not limited to annual reports, multi-color brochures, graphic illustrations, posters, PowerPoint presentations, charts, program booklets, conference and marketing collateral materials, courtroom exhibits, special events, educational programs, standard forms, award certificates, mail-merge documents, and other graphic art-related print and web products.

Education and Background

• Degree in graphic design or related field with at least ten years of experience at the intermediate level.
• The employee will also provide "pre-press and post print" production services. This includes preparing and generating print-ready files for release to commercial print vendor(s). Employee will be required to properly pre-flight print projects-verify that all images are converted from RGB to CMYK, are of suitable resolution (minimum 300 dpi at 100%), bleeds are extended properly (1/4 inch), font conflicts are resolved, and all packaged files are adequately cleaned up and unnecessary artwork removed.
• The employee will use a variety of client provided hardware and software applications to create print, digital and web products, including Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and MS Office Suite.

Years of Experience

3 - 5 years

Required Skills

Expert knowledge in industry standard publishing applications to include Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat Professional) plus demonstrated proficiency in MS Office Suite (must have digital portfolio) and Flash, PowerPoint, etc.

Highly skilled on the Mac platform is required.

Possess minimum of seven years professional experience in the graphic design and or publishing industry.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Advanced expertise in graphic design practices and the use of industry-standard software
  products, such as Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Adobe
  Professional Acrobat) and Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint.
• Basic skills in proofreading are required. Capability to proofread and edit assigned projects.
• Ability to comprehend printing parameters, such as composition, format, paper type, and other printer instructions.
• Capability to create innovative designs, concepts, and visual styles for print and web publications, displays, and presentation materials.
• Ability to create visual representations from verbal or written descriptions of complex financial concepts, objects, issues, processes, or occurrences in the absence of existing images, models, or diagrams.
• Ability to advise clients on the benefits and drawbacks of various formats, styles, media, and reproduction methods, and to recommend those that best fulfill the information objectives of each project or presentation.
• Ability to produce a wide range of visual communications, illustrations, special designs and layouts from conception to production to communicate the visual requirement of the project(s).
• Capability to develop a variety of visual messages, graphics, custom designs, and layouts from conception to production to meet the project's visual needs.
• Ability to produce 508-compliant web files from pdfs and other documents.
• Highly skilled on the Mac platform is required.
• Prepares design files for print and web production including creating films, custom illustrations, blue lines, and match prints; providing file layout to fit presses; correcting errors in print-ready files (e.g., missing images and fonts, color correcting, photograph
  manipulation, etc.); and conducting quality assurance checks.
• Performs and oversees all aspects of computer-based design, layout and production for printed materials (brochures, posters, fliers, reports, magazines, etc.), websites, electronic
  documents (e-newsletters, banner ads, etc.), and booth displays.
• Manages creative projects from concept to completion, translates marketing objectives into creative strategies, and directs the creative team in the production of advertising, public relations, outreach and marketing collateral.
• Ability to multitask and work under tight deadlines and schedules.
• Ability to work beyond normal working hours and (federal/religious) holidays when needed.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills

Aesthetic direction:

• Contemporary, modern - not 2D drop shadows, embossing, or dated lettering effects
  More photo manipulation than vector graphics
• Clean, academic, prestigious tone
• Good use of negative space ("do more with less")
• Portfolio must show range across:
• Long-form print/report design (The core of the clients work)
• Digital assets - social media graphics, digital banners (growing need as client shifts from paper to digital)

Bonus skills:

• Photo editing (cutting out subjects, cleanup, export) - Client uses a lot of photography
• AI-generated imagery experience - she's curious whether candidates have used AI to create unique background/flyer graphics

Working Conditions

Onsite in Washington, D.C. 5 times a week, working regular business hours.

$90,000 - $95,000 a year

In addition, Agile Defense invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Agile's benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, short-term and long-term Disability, Retirement and Learning and Development opportunities as well as other optional benefit elections.

Our Core Values

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.


What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.

• Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
• Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
• Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
• Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
• Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
• Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.