Interaction Designer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO

Location

London

About the job

Job summary

About us

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and its way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing
and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses, and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.  

To help you succeed, you’ll be working under the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Capability Framework, which recognises and rewards specialist expertise. This framework provides clear guidance for developing your skills and progressing your career, and while it’s broadly aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, it’s tailored to MI5’s unique mission.

Like many other big organisations in a data-driven world, MI5 is embarking on a transformation to ensure we keep our edge and continue keeping the country safe, with user-centred design at the heart of this. 

Job description

The role

As an Interaction Designer at MI5, you’ll design intuitive, user-friendly products that help keep the UK safe. You’ll join our growing Experience Design Team, reporting to the Head of Experience Design and collaborating with graphic designers, user researchers, and service designers.

Your passion, experience, and creative flair will help shape the future of MI5's mission capabilities. The role involves looking ahead to explore emerging technologies while reviewing existing systems and processes to identify improvements, turning insights into impactful solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

supporting the scoping and planning of design projects under guidance from the team lead.
working with user researchers to gather and interpret data, transforming insights into solutions that meet user and business needs.
creating wireframes and prototypes for new products, while clearly communicating complex information to non-technical audiences.

Beyond these core tasks, the role also contributes to design concepts for technology products and other solutions that improve user experience, whether that’s process, policy, or even physical spatial design. It involves advocating for users throughout the product lifecycle by running user testing, gathering feedback, and promoting robust UX principles across MI5. Identifying user issues to inform decisions on technology and value for money is another critical aspect of the work. 

You can expect occasional UK travel to collect valuable insights directly from users and teams.

Person specification

About you

If you possess experience in delivering successful UX design outcomes across multiple initiatives, both independently and as part of a team, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Your portfolio will tell the story of your practical ability, showcasing prototypes and artefacts created using tools such as Sketch, Axure, Adobe XD, InVision Studio, or Figma. 

But technical skills alone aren’t enough. We’re looking for a collaborative, imaginative thinker who’s ready to challenge organisational norms and bring fresh ideas to the table. You’ll thrive if you’re comfortable working across the full product lifecycle and helping colleagues understand how digital technology is changing user behaviour, and the opportunities and challenges that brings.

Key strengths include:

experience working in an agile, product-driven environment as part of a cross-functional team.
understanding of user-centred design practices and how to embed them into agile workflows while delivering timely findings.
excellent communication skills and confidence in explaining design decisions and complex information to a wider team.

Beyond these, the role also calls for independence and good judgement, knowing when to seek guidance, as well as the ability to help colleagues understand how technology is shaping user behaviour. You’ll contribute ideas that improve user experience across processes, policies, and even physical spaces.