Senior Communication Designer

Job Details

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.

Responsibilities 

The Senior Communication Designer creates compelling visual communications that translate complex scientific and technical concepts into engaging, accessible experiences across print, digital, and environmental media. This role combines exceptional design craft with strong conceptual thinking, producing high-quality work that advances JPL's communication goals while maintaining consistency across institutional brand standards. 

Working closely with writers, scientists, engineers, strategists, developers, and fellow designers, the Senior Communication Designer contributes to projects ranging from publications and exhibits to websites, campaigns, presentations, and mission communications. The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional typography, information design, illustration, and visual systems thinking while bringing curiosity, collaboration, and a high level of execution to every project. 

Tasks include but are not limited to: 

Communication Design 

• 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. 

Digital & Visual Systems 

• 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. 

Collaboration & Creative Development 

• 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. 

Qualifications: 

• 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. 

Preferred Skills: 

• 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. 

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.