Senior Graphic Designer

Peraton has a compelling need for a senior level graphic designer to support a client located in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The successful candidate will have a unique blend of artistic talent, technical proficiency, security awareness, and understanding of military culture and communication protocols. Position requires understanding of security protocols, branding and style guidelines, and communication protocols in written and verbal communication, ability to collaborate across very diverse and integrated teams, attention to detail, as well as being highly creative and innovative.

This role is a vital part of the strategic communication team, responsible for visually conveying important information and supporting the overall mission of the client while adhering to strict security protocols and branding guidelines. Excellent communication skills required to effectively interact with customers, stakeholders, and senior leaders. Ability to present design concepts clearly and persuasively. Ability to manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities without loss of productivity is a must.

*This position requires full-time, onsite attendance Monday through Friday in the Baltimore metropolitan area. 

Qualifications:

• Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance (or above).
• Education: Associates degree and 10+ years of experience; OR Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of experience; OR Master’s Degree and 6+ years of experience; OR 3 years with PhD. However, four (4) years of additional relevant experience or specialized training will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience: Majority of experience in graphic design within DoD (any agency).

I. Core Artistic & Design Skills:

Mastery of Design Principles:

• Visual Hierarchy: Expertly guiding the viewer's eye through the design using size, contrast, placement, and typography.
• Color Theory: Deep understanding of color relationships, color psychology, and the impact of color on audience perception. Able to choose appropriate color palettes for various contexts (e.g., motivational posters, safety briefings, public outreach).
• Typography: Exceptional skill in selecting and using typefaces effectively to convey tone, readability, and brand consistency. Knowledge of font licensing and usage rights.
• Composition: Ability to create balanced, visually appealing layouts that effectively communicate the intended message.
• Imagery: Skill in sourcing, creating, and manipulating images to enhance the design's impact.

Illustration & Drawing:

• Digital Illustration: Proficient in creating original artwork using digital tools (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Corel Painter).
• Technical Illustration: Ability to create accurate and detailed technical drawings for manuals, diagrams, and training materials.
• Freehand Drawing: While not always essential, strong freehand drawing skills are valuable for sketching concepts and creating preliminary designs.

Photography & Photo Editing:

• Photography Principles: Understanding of composition, lighting, and camera settings to capture high-quality photographs.
• Photo Editing: Expertise in using photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop) to enhance, retouch, and manipulate images. Able to correct color, remove blemishes, and create composites.

Motion Graphics & Animation (a Plus):

• Animation Principles: Understanding of animation techniques (e.g., keyframing, tweening) to create engaging motion graphics.
• Video Editing: Ability to edit and assemble video footage for training videos, public service announcements, and other multimedia projects.
• Software Proficiency: Experience with motion graphics software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D).

II. Technical Proficiency

Software Mastery:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Expert Level): Must have advanced-level skill in all Adobe Creative Suite applications; expert-level in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficient in using Teams, SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for creating reports, presentations, and other documents.
• 3D Modeling & Rendering (Sometimes Required): Experience with software like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max for creating 3D models and visualizations.
• Web Design: Must have working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and basic understanding of javascript/jquery and how to design graphic elements for the web.
• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Experience using DAM systems to organize, store, and retrieve digital assets.

Printing & Pre-Press Knowledge:

• Understanding of Printing Processes: Knowledge of various printing methods (e.g., offset printing, digital printing, screen printing) and their limitations.
• Color Management: Ability to manage color profiles and ensure accurate color reproduction across different devices and media.
• Pre-Press Preparation: Skill in preparing files for printing, including setting up bleeds, crop marks, and color separations.

Understanding of File Formats:

• Proficient in working with various file formats (e.g., JPEG, PNG, TIFF, EPS, PDF) and understanding their appropriate uses.

Desired: 

• Prior experience working with DAF Public Affairs