Design Lead Jobs in Virginia
Design Lead jobs in Virginia are consistently active across the defense technology, federal consulting, and enterprise software sectors, with openings at every level from mid-level designers stepping into leadership through senior design leads overseeing cross-functional teams. The largest concentrations of hiring are in the Northern Virginia corridor around Arlington and Reston, with additional demand in Richmond and the broader Hampton Roads area, where employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Capital One maintain substantial design and product organizations. The most in-demand specialties include UX strategy, product design systems, and human-centered design for government-facing digital products. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 24+ Design Lead jobs
Important Notice for Applicants:
At Bixal, we want to ensure a transparent and secure application process for all candidates. Official communication will come from an email address ending in @bixal.com or from @bixal.na.teamtailor-mail.com. Messages from other sources may be fraudulent, and you should exercise care to avoid any links or attachments included.
Bixal will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Need Assistance or a Reasonable Accommodation?
If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, we're here to help. Please reach out to us at talent@bixal.com and let us know how we can support you. You do not need to share personal details or disclose the nature of your request. You can expect a response from a team member within 24 hours during the regular work week and on the next operating day during the weekend or holidays.
Why Bixal?
Bixal is a consulting company headquartered in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Our values:
People-First: Emphasizing the importance of people in all aspects of work.
Collaboration and Transparency: Valuing teamwork and open communication.
Growth Mindset: Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.
Creating Lasting Impact: Focusing on meaningful outcomes and positive change.
About the role:
Bixal is seeking a Design Lead to serve as the primary UX research and design authority on our team supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In this role, you will lead human-centered design across the full lifecycle of Data.CMS.gov — CMS's authoritative public open data platform serving more than 100 million Americans. You will oversee user research, interaction design, visual design, and design system governance, translating complex data discovery and access challenges into intuitive, accessible experiences for audiences ranging from first-time users to seasoned policy analysts and data scientists.
A portfolio of relevant design work is required as part of the application. (Please provide a password if the portfolio has controlled access.)
The successful candidate will participate in the oral presentation phase of the proposal process. They will be expected to represent the team's design vision and methodology directly to CMS stakeholders during the presentation.
This is a full-time position contingent on contract award by our client, with a defined performance period of up to 5 years. This role offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a project that aligns with Bixal’s mission of delivering innovative, human-centered solutions. While the role has a fixed duration, we are committed to transparency and collaboration, keeping you informed about contract updates and new opportunities. At Bixal, we support your professional journey, ensuring your experience reflects our inclusive, purpose-driven culture and prepares you for future success.
Location
This role can work remotely from anywhere in the United States, excluding its territories. You must be legally authorized to work in the US. Bixal does not provide visa sponsorship.
Compensation:
The salary range for this role is $120,000 – $135,000. In the spirit of transparency, most offers tend to land near the midpoint of the range. We make compensation decisions thoughtfully, considering your experience, the skills you bring, and our commitment to internal equity. Fairness and transparency are core to how we operate.
Responsibilities:
Lead all human-centered design activities across the data.CMS.gov program, ensuring design decisions are grounded in evidence and continuously refined through testing and feedback.
Plan and facilitate user research activities — including interviews, usability tests, contextual inquiries, card sorts, and surveys — at a cadence of at least one per Program Increment, in coordination with the client.
Coordinate with CMS on Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) clearance timelines for research activities involving members of the public and manage scheduling accordingly.
Translate research findings into actionable design artifacts including personas, journey maps, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity Figma designs — and synthesize findings for both technical team members and CMS leadership.
Own and evolve the data.CMS.gov design system, ensuring component reuse, visual consistency, and accessibility compliance across all product teams and new feature releases.
Lead visual QA processes to maintain design-to-development parity, reduce UI defects, and ensure WCAG 2.1 AA conformance across all public-facing flows and data product pages.
Partner closely with engineering to ensure Figma designs translate accurately into implementation, and participate in sprint reviews, demos, and definition of done reviews.
Develop and present design rationale and research findings to CMS stakeholders, product owners, and leadership in a clear, accessible format — including oral presentations as part of the proposal or program review process.
Support content strategy and information architecture decisions that improve data discoverability and usability.
Other relevant duties as assigned and qualified/trained to perform
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Human-centered design (HCD) or related field.
At least 5 years of experience in HCD and user research for public-facing data websites.
Demonstrated experience leading design on a public-facing federal government digital platform, with a portfolio showing end-to-end work from research through shipped product.
Experience leading and synthesizing user research using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods (interviews, usability testing, surveys, analytics review, card sorting).
Expertise in Figma for interaction design, prototyping, design system management, and design-to-development collaboration.
Strong working knowledge of Section 508 compliance requirements and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, including the ability to interpret accessibility audits.
Experience designing for audiences with varying levels of technical expertise, including both novice users and highly technical data consumers such as analysts, researchers, and developers.
Proven ability to design and improve content management interfaces and backend editorial workflows, not just public-facing user experiences.
Experience participating in Agile delivery, including sprint ceremonies, backlog refinement, PI planning, and iterative release cycles.
Experience working in or coordinating with cross-functional teams that include engineers, product managers, content strategists, and government product owners.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to present design rationale and user research to varied audiences — up to and including formal client presentations.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance determination in support of a federal government contract.
Nice to Have Skills and Experience:
Direct experience supporting data.CMS.gov or another CMS open data platform.
Experience with data visualization design for large, complex datasets — including interactive tools, dashboards, and downloadable data products.
Experience navigating the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) process for federally sponsored user research.
How We Support Our Team:
Flex hours401K with matching incentive
Parental Leave
Medical/dental/vision benefits
Flex Spending Account
Company provided short-term disability and life insurance
Commuter benefits
Paid Time Off (PTO)
11 Paid holidays
Our company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
Important Notice for Applicants:
At Bixal, we want to ensure a transparent and secure application process for all candidates. Official communication will come from an email address ending in @bixal.com or from @bixal.na.teamtailor-mail.com. Messages from other sources may be fraudulent, and you should exercise care to avoid any links or attachments included.
Bixal will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Need Assistance or a Reasonable Accommodation?
If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, we're here to help. Please reach out to us at talent@bixal.com and let us know how we can support you. You do not need to share personal details or disclose the nature of your request. You can expect a response from a team member within 24 hours during the regular work week and on the next operating day during the weekend or holidays.
Why Bixal?
Bixal is a consulting company headquartered in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Our values:
People-First: Emphasizing the importance of people in all aspects of work.
Collaboration and Transparency: Valuing teamwork and open communication.
Growth Mindset: Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.
Creating Lasting Impact: Focusing on meaningful outcomes and positive change.
About the role:
Bixal is seeking a Design Lead to serve as the primary UX research and design authority on our team supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In this role, you will lead human-centered design across the full lifecycle of Data.CMS.gov — CMS's authoritative public open data platform serving more than 100 million Americans. You will oversee user research, interaction design, visual design, and design system governance, translating complex data discovery and access challenges into intuitive, accessible experiences for audiences ranging from first-time users to seasoned policy analysts and data scientists.
A portfolio of relevant design work is required as part of the application. (Please provide a password if the portfolio has controlled access.)
The successful candidate will participate in the oral presentation phase of the proposal process. They will be expected to represent the team's design vision and methodology directly to CMS stakeholders during the presentation.
This is a full-time position contingent on contract award by our client, with a defined performance period of up to 5 years. This role offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a project that aligns with Bixal’s mission of delivering innovative, human-centered solutions. While the role has a fixed duration, we are committed to transparency and collaboration, keeping you informed about contract updates and new opportunities. At Bixal, we support your professional journey, ensuring your experience reflects our inclusive, purpose-driven culture and prepares you for future success.
Location
This role can work remotely from anywhere in the United States, excluding its territories. You must be legally authorized to work in the US. Bixal does not provide visa sponsorship.
Compensation:
The salary range for this role is $120,000 – $135,000. In the spirit of transparency, most offers tend to land near the midpoint of the range. We make compensation decisions thoughtfully, considering your experience, the skills you bring, and our commitment to internal equity. Fairness and transparency are core to how we operate.
Responsibilities:
Lead all human-centered design activities across the data.CMS.gov program, ensuring design decisions are grounded in evidence and continuously refined through testing and feedback.
Plan and facilitate user research activities — including interviews, usability tests, contextual inquiries, card sorts, and surveys — at a cadence of at least one per Program Increment, in coordination with the client.
Coordinate with CMS on Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) clearance timelines for research activities involving members of the public and manage scheduling accordingly.
Translate research findings into actionable design artifacts including personas, journey maps, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity Figma designs — and synthesize findings for both technical team members and CMS leadership.
Own and evolve the data.CMS.gov design system, ensuring component reuse, visual consistency, and accessibility compliance across all product teams and new feature releases.
Lead visual QA processes to maintain design-to-development parity, reduce UI defects, and ensure WCAG 2.1 AA conformance across all public-facing flows and data product pages.
Partner closely with engineering to ensure Figma designs translate accurately into implementation, and participate in sprint reviews, demos, and definition of done reviews.
Develop and present design rationale and research findings to CMS stakeholders, product owners, and leadership in a clear, accessible format — including oral presentations as part of the proposal or program review process.
Support content strategy and information architecture decisions that improve data discoverability and usability.
Other relevant duties as assigned and qualified/trained to perform
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Human-centered design (HCD) or related field.
At least 5 years of experience in HCD and user research for public-facing data websites.
Demonstrated experience leading design on a public-facing federal government digital platform, with a portfolio showing end-to-end work from research through shipped product.
Experience leading and synthesizing user research using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods (interviews, usability testing, surveys, analytics review, card sorting).
Expertise in Figma for interaction design, prototyping, design system management, and design-to-development collaboration.
Strong working knowledge of Section 508 compliance requirements and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, including the ability to interpret accessibility audits.
Experience designing for audiences with varying levels of technical expertise, including both novice users and highly technical data consumers such as analysts, researchers, and developers.
Proven ability to design and improve content management interfaces and backend editorial workflows, not just public-facing user experiences.
Experience participating in Agile delivery, including sprint ceremonies, backlog refinement, PI planning, and iterative release cycles.
Experience working in or coordinating with cross-functional teams that include engineers, product managers, content strategists, and government product owners.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to present design rationale and user research to varied audiences — up to and including formal client presentations.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance determination in support of a federal government contract.
Nice to Have Skills and Experience:
Direct experience supporting data.CMS.gov or another CMS open data platform.
Experience with data visualization design for large, complex datasets — including interactive tools, dashboards, and downloadable data products.
Experience navigating the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) process for federally sponsored user research.
How We Support Our Team:
Flex hours401K with matching incentive
Parental Leave
Medical/dental/vision benefits
Flex Spending Account
Company provided short-term disability and life insurance
Commuter benefits
Paid Time Off (PTO)
11 Paid holidays
Our company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
See All 24 Design Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across Virginia.
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX or product design leadership across shipped projects
- Bachelor's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience mentoring designers and leading cross-functional product teams
- Proficiency in Figma or equivalent design and prototyping tools used in collaborative workflows
- Experience working within agile or iterative development environments alongside engineering teams
- Familiarity with accessibility standards and government or enterprise design compliance requirements
Design Lead Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in Virginia?
Design lead roles in Virginia do not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently expect a strong portfolio, several years of hands-on UX or product design experience, and evidence of team leadership. Most candidates enter through individual contributor design roles at Virginia-based technology, consulting, or federal contractor firms, then advance by taking ownership of design systems or managing junior designers. Earning recognized credentials such as a certification from the Interaction Design Foundation or a graduate degree in human-computer interaction strengthens candidacy considerably.
How much do design leads make in Virginia?
Design leads in Virginia earn a median of about $101,150 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,010 for the lowest 10% to over $165,010 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in Virginia?
Employers hiring design leads in Virginia right now include Amazon, AtkinsRéalis, and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Virginia's dense cluster of federal contractors and technology firms means design lead openings often require familiarity with government product environments or security-conscious design workflows.
Which Virginia cities have the most design lead jobs?
Herndon, Richmond, and Arlington account for the largest share of design lead openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and the headquarters of major defense and IT contractors drives the highest volume, while Richmond's growing fintech and insurance sectors and Hampton Roads' mix of military and commercial technology employers sustain consistent demand outside the capital corridor.
Are there remote design lead jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many fields. About 50% of design lead openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how readily design leadership translates to distributed team environments. The portions of the role most commonly conducted remotely include design critique sessions, stakeholder reviews, and design system governance, while in-person presence is more typical for embedded product teams at federal contractor sites.
How can I get hired as a design lead in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a junior or mid-level UX designer role at a Virginia-based federal consulting or enterprise technology firm, then building toward a lead title by owning a workstream or mentoring peers. Large Virginia employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos run associate and early-career design programs that bring in candidates with limited professional experience but strong portfolio work or relevant academic backgrounds. Adjacent roles like UX researcher, content strategist, or product manager can also open doors. A focused portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design thinking gives any early-career candidate a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and preferences, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 24 Design Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead Jobs