UI/UX Engineer

UI/UX Design Engineer

The UI/UX Design Engineer supports the Case Management Modernization (CMM) Program for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) by bridging the gap between design and engineering. This role will be responsible for synthesizing UX research and high-fidelity prototypes into intuitive, accessible, and efficient user experiences using HCD and usability design principles as well as producing clean, production-ready code. Working within Agile teams alongside developers, architects, and product owners, this role ensures that all CMM applications—developed on an AWS platform—are designed around user needs, meet Section 508 compliance, and align with federal digital service standards for accessibility, performance, and security.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Product Owners, UI Architects, Developers, and HCD Specialists to translate research insights into actionable design specifications.
• Act as the bridge between design and engineering to translate prototypes into responsive, accessible and performant front-end code.
• Ensure all designs comply with Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles and are fully aligned with program objectives and Agile ceremonies.
• Define and enforce UI/UX and front-end coding standards to ensure consistency and reusability.
• Evaluate designs for compliance with Section 508, usability, and WCAG accessibility guidelines.
• Support iterative feedback loops through rapid prototyping and validation within sprint cycles.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on UI consistency, interaction design, and design system reuse.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Compliance teams to verify usability and accessibility in production releases.

Deliverable Alignment & Performance Outcomes:

• HCD Implementation Plans: Documentation of methodologies, user testing cycles, and outcome summaries.
• Accessibility and Compliance Reports: Validation of Section 508, WCAG 2.1 AA, and FedRAMP UI standards.
• Design System Contributions: Standardized templates and components integrated into the shared UI library.
• Performance Outcomes:
  • 100% of design and code artifacts produced in accordance with HCD and Agile sprint objectives.
  • ≥95% compliance with Section 508 and accessibility audit benchmarks.
  • Measurable improvement in task completion efficiency and user satisfaction.
  • Reduced post-release UI-related defects by ≥20% through proactive design validation.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in UI/UX design development, including 5+ years in a Human-Centered Design role supporting enterprise or government applications.
• Strong understanding of Agile/SAFe delivery and iterative design integration.
• Expertise in usability testing methodologies such as heuristic evaluations, card sorting, and A/B testing etc..
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch, Storybook, Axure, Miro or similar tools).
• Familiarity with HTML5, CSS3, and responsive UI behavior to collaborate effectively with developers.
• Strong experience working with Sass or other CSS preprocessors.
• Experience designing for federal systems, with practical knowledge of Section 508 and WCAG compliance.
• Excellent storytelling and communication skills to present design and development rationale to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, or a related field.

• Experience designing for federal digital modernization programs or court/case management systems.
• Familiarity with DesignOps and UX governance practices.
• Exposure to data-driven UX optimization using analytics tools (Google Analytics, Hotjar).
• Understanding of Zero Trust Design and secure user interface principles.
• Knowledge of AI-assisted UX tools or predictive usability models.

Certifications:

• Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) or Certified HCD Professional – preferred.
• SAFe Agile Practitioner (SPC or SSM) – preferred.
• Section 508 Trusted Tester Certification – highly desirable.
• UX Design or HCD Certification (NN/g, IDEO, or HFI) – beneficial.

Tools & Technologies:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Storybook, Miro, Axure, InVision.
• Accessibility: Axe, Wave, Color Oracle, SiteImprove.
• Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, MS Teams.
• Testing & Analytics: Hotjar, Google Analytics, Optimal Workshop.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• 10+ years of general experience in information systems
• 8+ years of specialized experience
• Minimum Education: BA/BS
• Experience may be considered in lieu of degree as follows: HS (16+ years), AA/AS (14+ years), BA/BS (12+ years), Doctorate Degree/Ph.D. (9+ years)

COMMUNICATION & ORGANIZATIONAL 

• Excellent presentation and communication (oral and written) skills. 

• Consultant mindset with the ability to work with high level customer stakeholders and build excellent customer relationship. 

• Experience identifying and applying industry tools, solutions, methods best practices, and emerging technologies. 

• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills with the ability to formulate and communicate recommendations for improvement. 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a team.