Senior Communication Designer

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

5d•$89,232 - $113,880•Onsite

About The Position

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Communication Design, or related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience; Master's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience.
Exceptional portfolio demonstrating excellence in communication design across print and digital media.
Demonstrated strength in conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, and translating ideas into compelling design solutions.
Expert understanding of typography, layout, composition, color, and visual hierarchy.
Experience designing within and extending established brand and visual design systems.
Strong illustration skills, including conceptual, technical, or explanatory illustration.
Experience designing for both print and digital environments.
Working knowledge of user experience design principles, information architecture, and accessibility best practices.
Highly proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma.
Excellent organizational skills, communication abilities, and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience communicating complex scientific, engineering, or technical subject matter.
Experience designing for research, education, government, aerospace, or mission-driven organizations.
Experience with exhibit, environmental, or experiential graphic design.
Familiarity with design thinking and human-centered design methodologies.
Ability to contribute across a wide range of communication challenges while maintaining exceptional craft and consistency.
Passion for communicating science, exploration, and innovation through thoughtful visual design.

Responsibilities

Design compelling visual communications across print, digital, and environmental media, including publications, reports, presentations, signage, exhibits, campaigns, and websites.
Translate complex scientific and engineering concepts into clear, engaging visual narratives for a broad range of audiences.
Develop thoughtful visual concepts that strengthen storytelling and support institutional communication objectives.
Create layouts that balance technical accuracy with visual clarity through strong typography, composition, and information hierarchy.
Develop original illustrations, diagrams, icons, and explanatory graphics that improve audience understanding.
Produce production-ready artwork for print and digital delivery with exceptional attention to detail.
Design user-centered digital experiences including websites, microsites, and interactive communications.
Develop wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity visual designs that support usability and accessibility.
Apply and extend established visual design systems while ensuring consistency across channels and touchpoints.
Collaborate with developers and digital partners to ensure design intent is maintained through implementation.
Partner with writers, strategists, scientists, engineers, photographers, developers, and fellow designers throughout the creative process.
Contribute conceptual thinking during project discovery and creative development.
Support JPL by providing thoughtful visual design across a diverse portfolio of communication initiatives.
Participate in design critiques and contribute to maintaining a high standard of design excellence across the team.
Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in communication design, typography, information design, and visual storytelling.