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Scientific Website Designer

The position is hybrid, with potential for full-time at the client site in Alexandria, VA.

PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION.

Spire Communications is hiring a full-time website designer with demonstrated Drupal and visual design expertise to support communications for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This role designs clear, engaging, and compliant webpage layouts and graphics for NSF.gov and internal platforms, applying web design best practices within Drupal’s Layout Builder environment and designing and enhancing digital experiences across platforms such as ServiceNow Employee Center and Microsoft SharePoint. This role blends strong visual design with the technical requirements of federal web standards to create webpages that are visually compelling, brand compliant, accessible, and effective.

Spire Communications is a woman-owned strategic communications and creative firm based in Alexandria, VA that supports science, technology, and engineering organizations within the government and private sectors.

This position is hybrid, with the potential to be fully onsite, based at the client site in Alexandria, VA. The opportunity is contingent upon contract award.

Salary range: $110,000 – $130,000

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What You’ll Do

  • Design responsive web experiences following modern UI/UX and information architecture principles.
  • Create compelling, accessible, and user-centered page mockups and graphics aligned with the U.S. Web Design System using web design best practices and Section 508/WCAG requirements.
  • Create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts, layouts, and interactions.
  • Collaborate with developers and content authors to ensure designs are implemented accurately and maintain visual consistency across the site.
  • Build webpages within Drupal using components and Layout Builder.
  • Advise NSF staff on consistent, clear layouts and effective use of visuals to enhance engagement.
  • Design page transitions, animations, and interactive elements that enhance usability while maintaining accessibility and performance.
  • Use Adobe Creative Cloud to create and optimize graphics and images for web display.
  • Review implemented webpages for design quality, responsiveness, accessibility, and adherence to approved designs.
  • Support search engine optimization through thoughtful webpage design, content hierarchy, and metadata best practices.
  • Contribute to reusable design patterns and standardized layouts that improve consistency and reduce duplicative design effort.

What You’ll Bring to Spire

  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in web design or related discipline.
  • 6+ years of professional experience in web design.
  • At least three years working within a Drupal environment using components and Layout Builder.
  • Experience creating wireframes, prototypes, and responsive website designs using Figma, Adobe XD, or similar design tools.
  • Familiarity with the U.S. Web Design System and its design constraints.
  • Strong understanding of UI/UX principles, information architecture, and responsive web design.
  • Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and front-end implementation concepts.
  • Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud to create and optimize graphics and images for web display.
  • Demonstrated experience communicating scientific and technical subject matter, with expertise in one or more NSF focus or technology areas (e.g., Biology, Engineering, Computing, AI, Cybersecurity)

Major Pluses

  • Expertise supporting interactive or immersive virtual reality experiences (e.g., Oculus 360° video, CGI VR experiences, Unity/Unreal, interactive VR development).
  • Federal or federally funded research experience.

Our benefits

Medical (United Healthcare), dental (CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield), and vision (United Concordia) plans paid at 100% (employee premium) plus 30% contribution to family premium

Monthly $50 “wellness” stipend for gym memberships, spa services, etc.

Life and disability insurance (short- and long-term)

18 days PTO and 8 federal holidays per year (+Veterans Day for those who have served)

Flexible home/office environment

Home office expense reimbursement

401(k) plan with automatic 3% of salary employer contribution

Employee referral bonuses

Annual stipend for employee and/or job-related training

About Spire

We are a boutique, woman-led agency that specializes in technology, health, and science. Our clients are federal agencies and contractors charged with advanced R&D and vital national programs that make life better for all Americans. Our team is committed to the work of these pioneers and public servants. We believe in their missions, marvel at their innovations, and delight in telling their stories.

Every member of our team is a senior-level communicator. This means every assignment is an opportunity to work with and learn from the best strategists and storytellers—designers, videographers, writers, editors, media relations leads, social media managers, and web developers.

Submit an Application

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1. Contact Information

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2. Personal Details

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4. Submit Application

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Spire Communications is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

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