Job description
We are Skyward.
That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.
We stand by our values, and we won’t compromise on any of them.
Integrity: We’re conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That’s our character. Please don’t ask us to play another part, we’re poor actors.
Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally.
Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.
Unconventional: For us, life isn’t what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two.
Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We’re relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.
Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.
We need a UX Designer.
Are you a designer who’s wildly imaginative, deeply empathetic, and endlessly curious about how humans and machines connect? Someone who sees design not just as visuals, but as a dialogue - a beautiful tension - between intuition and technology? Maybe you’re searching for the project. The one that becomes your masterpiece. Your North Star.
If you’re already getting goosebumps, stop reading and apply.
Come join us if you’re motivated to learn from others, to learn from mistakes, to be part of a future-looking and growth-oriented team.
Let’s go Skyward together.
What you’ll do:
- Partner closely with engineers to translate advanced AI and machine learning concepts into stunning, usable experiences.
- Define and drive the UX vision for a first-of-its-kind civic tech solution - no existing style guide, no handholding.
- Shape user flows, prototypes, high-fidelity visuals, and all things between abstract idea and pixel-perfect interface.
- Be the champion of simplicity in complexity, making bleeding-edge technology feel effortless and beautiful.
- Lead design critiques and incorporate feedback from a diverse, passionate team.
- Continually research and test to ensure your designs empower users, not overwhelm them.
What we’d like you to have:
- Bachelor’s degree in UX, Visual Design, HCI, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of product-focused UX/UI experience (government or civic tech experience a bonus but not required).
- A portfolio that shows off original thinking, human-centered design, and systems-level imagination.
- Fluency in Figma, Sketch, or other modern design tools.
- Comfort working alongside developers and being curious about the “why” behind technical decisions.
- Passion for AI, machine learning, and the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent systems.
- Fearlessness. You’re excited to build something that’s never been built before.
What would blow us away:
- You believe the best digital experiences aren’t just smart. They’re soulful.
- Your portfolio.
Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we’re focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.
And now the important part. What we offer you:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
- 15 days of paid leave
- 7 days of sick leave
- 2 days bereavement leave
- 11 paid Federal holidays
- Up to 40 hours for jury duty
- 401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
- Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
- Company provided laptop
- $5,000 per year for professional development
- $600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
- $2,000 referral bonus
- Life and disability insurance
- HSA and FSA
- Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
- Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can’t be exciting!
$120,000 - $140,000 a year
We believe great work deserves great pay. That’s why we ensure our compensation is not only competitive but also fair and transparent, as required by Maryland law. Expect a salary that matches your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the table — because you’re worth it!
At Skyward, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs.
Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.
Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor.
