Senior Software Engineer- UI/UX

Who are we looking for?

Pacific Defense is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with a strong UI/UX focus to design and build intuitive, mission-critical software applications. This individual will combine user-centered design and front-end engineering to translate complex workflows and technical data into clear, efficient interfaces. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary engineering environment and is comfortable collaborating with software, systems, and program teams to deliver reliable solutions for defense applications.

Requirements

• Professional software engineering experience with a strong focus on UI/UX design and front-end application development.
• Proficiency in JavaScript or TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and a modern front-end framework such as React, Angular, or Vue.
• Experience developing user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity interface designs using tools such as Figma.
• Ability to translate complex user needs and technical requirements into intuitive, maintainable user interfaces.
• Knowledge of responsive design, accessibility principles, reusable components, and front-end testing practices.
• Experience integrating front-end applications with APIs, complex datasets, and software services.
• Experience contributing throughout the software development lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, testing, and release.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated success working with multi-disciplinary and distributed teams.
• Experience with design systems, user research, usability testing, or human factors is preferred.
• Experience with data visualization, operational dashboards, real-time applications, or mapping/geospatial interfaces is preferred.
• Experience working on aerospace, defense, government, or other mission-critical systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead UI/UX design and front-end development for complex software applications, from initial concept through deployment and iteration.
• Work with users, stakeholders, and engineering teams to understand operational workflows, identify usability challenges, and define interface requirements.
• Develop wireframes, user journeys, mockups, prototypes, and detailed interaction specifications.
• Build scalable, responsive, and reliable interfaces using modern web technologies and reusable components.
• Create clear interfaces for data-rich workflows, emphasizing task efficiency, accessibility, performance, and consistency.
• Collaborate closely with back-end developers and systems engineers to integrate APIs, data streams, and system functionality.
• Conduct design reviews and usability evaluations; incorporate feedback into continuous product improvements.
• Establish and maintain UI patterns, design documentation, and reusable component libraries.
• Troubleshoot and optimize interfaces for cross-browser behavior, performance, reliability, and user experience.
• Communicate design decisions, tradeoffs, technical risks, and project progress to engineering and program stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.

Benefits

Pacific Defense provides competitive salaries and immediately vested 401K match. We provide 100% coverage options for the employee, and 75% coverage for dependents’ medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums, as well as a flexible spending account for incidental health care expenses. We offer paid time off and federal holidays to spend time with family, pursue outside interests, or just get some extra rest.