Senior Graphic Designer

Job Family:

Digital Strategy (ESA)

Travel Required:

Up to 10%

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Secret

What You Will Do:

We are seeking an exceptionally creative, strategic, and collaborative Senior Graphic Designer to join our team onsite. This role goes beyond standard design work; you will serve as a creative partner and consultant to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) program managers, military leadership, academic researchers, and commercial partners.

While our team has access to state-of-the-art onsite production equipment (such as 3D printers, laser engravers, and high-speed production presses), this position will focus heavily on Graphic Services. You will lead the design of program branding, visual storytelling, digital media, and print layouts, while providing creative guidance to junior design staff.

Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Client Consultation & Creative Partnering: Meet with diverse clients (including military officers, academic researchers, and commercial industry partners) to understand their scientific or technological concepts. Ask insightful questions to uncover who their target audience is and what key message they need to convey.
• Strategic Brand Stewardship: Guide clients on how to develop visual identities that align with their specific program goals while strictly maintaining DARPA's institutional brand, reputation, and overarching mission.
• Graphic Development: Conceptualize and build graphics optimized for successful rendering across both print and digital mediums, including high-profile screen presentations, websites, social media, brochures, and large-scale event signage.
• Web Team Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with the web development team to ensure graphics are optimized for responsive digital environments, translating beautifully from full-screen desktop browsers to mobile interfaces.
• Mentorship and Creative Direction: Provide constructive feedback, creative guidance, and professional direction to junior designers on the team to elevate their work and support their skill development.
• Accessibility Standards: Ensure all digital design outputs conform to Section 508 compliance guidelines, making visual communications accessible to all audiences.
• Full-Lifecycle Collaboration: Engage with projects from initial intake through final proofing, managing realistic timelines (ranging from rapid-response requests to multi-week branding campaigns).

What You Will Need:

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "SECRET" security clearance; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of clearance prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE "SECRET" or higher-level clearance are preferred.
• High school diploma/GED
• TEN (10) or more years' experience in graphic design. Experience needs to include:
• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating exceptional talent in visual layout, typography, branding, infographics, and responsive digital design.
• Expert-level proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Practical, hands-on familiarity with federal accessibility standards (Section 508 compliance guidelines) for digital and PDF assets.
• Outstanding active listening, questioning, and consulting skills. Ability to translate highly complex, technical, or scientific concepts into clear, impactful visual narratives.
• Proven experience collaborating directly with web developers and interactive media teams.
• Ability to work 100% onsite at DARPA’s headquarters in Arlington, VA

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience with Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro.
• Familiarity with 3D modeling or preparing assets for high-resolution 3D printing.
• Basic knowledge of digital photography, studio lighting, or photo editing workflows.
• Familiarity with video production, podcast recording, or live streaming.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [email protected]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [email protected]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [email protected]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.