Multimedia Graphic Designer - JM

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Multimedia Graphic Designer - JM

🔹 Company: DarkStar Intelligence LLC

🔹 Location: McLean, VA

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Multimedia Design

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-17

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Creating high-quality multimedia products for senior U.S. Government and Intelligence Community officials
• Designing video, animation, and motion graphics to communicate complex subject matter effectively
• Collaborating with stakeholders to ensure alignment with communication goals
• Managing projects from concept through final delivery, including editing, sound integration, rendering, and archiving
• Upholding production standards and quality control processes

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, technical skill, and attention to detail, as well as strong communication and project management abilities.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and deliver video and animated content that supports mission objectives and strategic messaging

✅ Create motion graphics and animated sequences to explain technical or abstract concepts clearly and visually

✅ Collaborate with stakeholders on scripts, storyboards, and production planning to ensure alignment with communication goals

✅ Support the visual design of intelligence products through clear, accurate, and aesthetically consistent graphics

✅ Manage projects from concept through final delivery, including editing, sound integration, rendering, and archiving

✅ Lead design sessions, clarify content and style requirements, and coordinate timelines with customers and internal teams

✅ Uphold production standards, including adherence to quality control processes, copyright compliance, and internal workflows

ASSUMPTION: This role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience in video production, animation, and motion design

Required Skills:

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Familiarity with HTML/CSS is a plus
• Video production, animation, and motion design
• Visual storytelling and information design
• Traditional graphic design principles
• Managing high-visibility projects under tight deadlines
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with open-source intelligence (OSINT) or publicly available information (PAI)
• Knowledge of intelligence operations and targeting support

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience in the intelligence or defense industry may be beneficial for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000 per year

Benefits:

• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Income Protection: Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with employer contributions
• Work-Life Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and legal services
• Paid Leave: Generous PTO, 11 paid federal holidays, and one floating holiday
• Voluntary Benefits: Legal & Identity Protection, Additional Insurance

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project demands

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Professional Services, specifically Intelligence and Defense

Company Size: 51-200 employees, which means a mid-sized company structure with opportunities for collaboration and growth

Founded: 2015, with a history of providing advanced intelligence-based solutions to public and private sectors

Company Description:

• DarkStar Intelligence is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Offers advanced intelligence-based solutions to public and private sectors, including the Department of Defense, US Army, US Air Force, the National Security Agency, and US Special Operations Command
• Provides intelligence operations & targeting support, collection management, all-source analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT) / publicly available info (PAI) exploitation, broadcast & social media monitoring, intelligence tradecraft training, and cybersecurity and engineering services

Company Specialties:

• All Source Analysis
• Collections / Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)
• Targeting
• OSINT/PAI
• Regional, Cultural, and Social HUMINT Targeting and Collection
• Nodal Fusion Analysis
• Indications & Warnings Analysis
• Language Enabled OSINT / PAI collection
• Collection Management
• Program Management
• Tradecraft Development
• Tradecraft Instruction
• Cybersecurity
• Software Development
• Professional and Management Development Training
• Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• Communications
• Technical Writing
• Cloud Software Engineering
• System Engineering
• Role Playing
• Software Engineering

Company Website: DarkStar Intelligence LLC

ASSUMPTION: DarkStar Intelligence's focus on the intelligence and defense industry may require applicants to have or obtain a security clearance.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-career, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company

Reporting Structure: This role may report to the Multimedia Manager or a similar position within the organization

Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific projects or tasks

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanding skills and expertise in multimedia design and production
• Advancing to a leadership or management role within the multimedia team
• Transitioning to other areas of the business, such as intelligence operations or cybersecurity

ASSUMPTION: Growth opportunities may depend on the individual's performance, the organization's needs, and the availability of suitable positions.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment with a focus on collaboration and teamwork

Office Location(s): Alexandria, Virginia

Geographic Context:

• McLean, VA is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, offering easy access to cultural attractions, entertainment, and dining options
• The area has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters
• McLean has a cost of living that is higher than the national average, with median home prices around $700,000

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for project demands

ASSUMPTION: The work environment may require occasional overtime or weekend work to meet project deadlines.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with key stakeholders
• Background check and security clearance processing

Key Assessment Areas:

• Technical skills in video production, animation, and motion design
• Portfolio and work samples demonstrating relevant experience
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Problem-solving and project management abilities
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experience for this role
• Prepare a cover letter that explains your interest in the position and how your background makes you a strong fit
• Be ready to discuss your experience with intelligence operations, targeting support, or related fields
• Research DarkStar Intelligence's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit with the organization

ATS Keywords: Video Production, Animation, Motion Design, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, HTML, CSS, Multimedia Design, Project Management, Collaboration, Intelligence Operations, Targeting Support

ASSUMPTION: The application process may take several weeks due to the need for security clearance processing.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• HTML/CSS
• Video production and editing software (e.g., Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer)
• Motion graphics and animation software (e.g., Cinema 4D, Blender)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may depend on the individual project or client requirements.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Humility: Prioritizing teamwork and mission over personal recognition
• Passion: Driven by enthusiasm and curiosity for problem-solving and execution
• Agility: Adapting effectively to interpersonal relationships and mission requirements
• Ownership: Taking responsibility and accountability to drive clients' missions forward

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Mission-driven and results-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible in a dynamic work environment
• Attentive to detail and committed to quality control processes

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you prioritize teamwork and mission over personal recognition?
• Are you driven by enthusiasm and curiosity for problem-solving and execution?
• Can you adapt effectively to interpersonal relationships and mission requirements?
• Do you take responsibility and accountability to drive clients' missions forward?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their personal values and work style preferences when evaluating their fit with DarkStar Intelligence's company culture.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working on multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines
• Navigating a dynamic work environment with evolving operational needs
• Adapting to changes in project scope, priorities, or requirements
• Meeting the high standards of quality and professionalism expected by DarkStar Intelligence's clients
• Obtaining or maintaining a security clearance, which may involve background investigations and polygraph examinations

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider these potential challenges and ensure they are comfortable with the demands of the role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Multimedia Designer or Video Producer position in other industries, but may require additional skills in intelligence operations, targeting support, or related fields
• DarkStar Intelligence's focus on the intelligence and defense industry may offer unique opportunities for career growth and development
• Compared to similar roles in other industries, this position may have a higher level of security clearance requirements and a greater emphasis on confidentiality

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles in the intelligence and defense industry to gain a better understanding of the unique aspects of this position.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a video series to explain complex intelligence concepts to senior U.S. Government and Intelligence Community officials
• Creating animated infographics to illustrate trends and patterns in open-source intelligence (OSINT) or publicly available information (PAI)
• Designing motion graphics to enhance the visual appeal and clarity of intelligence products

ASSUMPTION: Sample projects may vary depending on the specific needs of DarkStar Intelligence's clients and the organization's mission priorities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the most pressing challenges facing the multimedia team currently, and how can this role help address them?
• How does this role collaborate with other teams within DarkStar Intelligence, such as intelligence operations or cybersecurity?
• What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the multimedia team or the organization as a whole?
• How does DarkStar Intelligence support work-life balance for its employees, particularly in a role with potential overtime or weekend work?
• What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager or key stakeholders?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should use the interview process to gather as much information as possible about the role, the team, and the organization to make an informed decision about their fit with the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: DarkStar Intelligence Multimedia Graphic Designer - JM
• Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant skills and experience for this role
• Prepare a cover letter that explains your interest in the position and how your background makes you a strong fit
• Be ready to discuss your experience with intelligence operations, targeting support, or related fields during the interview process
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.