2026 Graduate - Design Strategist - Design Thinking Group

Do you get energized by working with teams to tackle difficult challenges and rapidly deliver user-centered solutions?

Are you motivated by delivering high-impact products and experiences that solve complex problems?

Do you have a growing understanding of design methodologies and are you looking to learn more about innovation?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our Design Thinking team at APL.

APL's Design Thinking Group is a team of engineers, designers, creatives, and makers dedicated to tackling some of the nation's most complex security challenges. By applying Human-Centered Design (HCD) and Design Thinking (DT)methodologies, we immerse ourselves in user environments, partner with government and industry leaders, and rapidly develop impactful product concepts and user experiences.

We believe the best solutions emerge from authentic collaboration, intellectual humility, and unrelenting curiosity. Above all, we remain focused on the human at the center of every challenge.

We are seeking innovative partners to join our multi-functional teams working across the front-end of innovation (FEI) continuum-from immersive discovery of unmet needs, to solution landscaping, to concept development.

As a Design Strategist, you will:

• Collaborate with talented teammates to build empathy through research and shape every aspect of end-to-end product and experience design.

• Advocate for human-centered design across APL, empowering others to apply these approaches to their work.

• Translate complex problems into clear opportunities and deliver novel, human-centric solutions.

What You'll Do:

• Be an integral member of the Design Thinking Group, working in multi-disciplinary teams to generate creative concepts and solutions for our customers.

• Apply your understanding of engineering and design principles, contextual inquiry, and user research to inform product requirements and design direction.

• Identify insights and opportunities from user research, connecting the dots between user groups, workflows, and emerging technologies.

• Simplify complexity-turning research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable outcomes.

• Seek out opportunities to solve problems in unexpected and innovative ways.

• Balance great design with the realities of fast-moving projects and tight timelines.

• Continuously refine your process, sharpening both your craft and strategic thinking.

• Leverage your skills in design, development, and prototyping to bring concepts to life.

• Use generative and collaborative methods to explore a wide range of design decisions and scenarios.

• Create compelling pitches, stories, presentations, and workshops that engage teammates and customers alike.

We want teammates who are:

• Passionate about creating phenomenal, human-centered solutions.

• Excited to think big, act boldly, and move quickly.

• Skilled in breaking down complex problems and designing solutions that make a difference.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have:

• BA/BFA/BS or MA/MS in a relevant field, including Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, Interaction Design, User Experience Design, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Web Development, Game Development, Human Computer Interaction or equivalent.
• An understanding of how to use human-centered design frameworks as an approach to problem solving.
• Experience planning, conducting, and communicating user research findings to a group of partners.
• Experience planning and/or conducting both qualitative and quantitative research.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time. Locations are TBD, but include Naval Bases, Research Locations, and meeting in geographies such as San Diego, Hawaii, Norfolk, Groton, and San Francisco.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have:

• Experience in federal government, federal government consulting, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with leading collaboration methodologies from industry.
• Strong visual, written, and/or oral story-telling capabilities.
• Experience quoting and planning complex front-end innovation projects in a consulting or design firm environment.
• Product or project management experience and/or credentials.
• An active Secret security clearance or above.
• Experience with Agile and other development methodologies.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.