Research Graphic Design Specialist in Dayton, Ohio at University of Dayton

Design mission-focused graphics, presentations, photo, and video content for UDRI and Air Force sustainment initiatives. Help turn complex technical work into clear, polished visuals that drive engagement and impact.

The Research Graphic Design Specialist provides graphic design support that advances the organization's image, identity, brand, and communication goals, as well as client research and implementation activities. Working under the direction of senior creative staff, this position helps conceptualize and produce visual communications—including graphics, photography, and videography—while ensuring brand consistency in accordance with the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) Brand Guide and established messaging standards. Creative deliverables may include infographics, one-pagers and slick sheets, briefings and presentations, newsletter and social media graphics, success-story and case-study visuals, environmental and video-monitor displays, illustrations, photographs, and video. This position will work alongside RSO staff to support technology adoption through marketing material generation, strategic communications initiatives, and presentation development, and may support additional UDRI customers and initiatives as needed. This position is co-located with the customer at the Hangar 01 facility. The Graphic Design Specialist collaborates closely with the creative team, project managers, technical writers, and subject matter experts to maintain organizational continuity for branding and marketing initiatives and to deliver polished, on-brand products to internal and external customers.

This position will travel between UDRI locations, base, and other mission locations to support communications work as needed.

• Bachelor's degree in fine arts or graphic design and 3 years of experience in the graphic design field (internship and academic project experience may be considered).
• Clear communicator with strong attention to detail.
• Strong verbal communication and active listening skills.
• Detail oriented and organized with excellent time management skills.
• Able to prioritize, monitor, track and complete multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience translating technical or complex information into clear, engaging visual design (e.g., infographics, presentations, marketing pieces, posters and trade-show collateral).
• Working knowledge of color theory, composition, typography, and visual hierarchy.
• Ability to apply and maintain brand standards (logos, colors, fonts, imagery) for consistency across products.
• Photography experience.
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates must be a U.S. citizen.
• Reliable means of transportation to respond to short-notice and multi-location (UDRI locations, WPAFB, and other mission locations) in-person needs, as appropriate

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• More than 3 years of directly related graphic design experience.
• Demonstrated experience with Adobe After Effects for 2D/3D animation and with Adobe Lightroom, Bridge, and Premiere Pro.
• Demonstrated experience in video creation, storyboarding, and editing.
• 1+ years of marketing or organizational communication experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing or maintaining a brand guide and producing branded communication products (e.g., newsletters, slick sheets, success stories, social media graphics for platforms such as LinkedIn).
• Experience preparing photo and video content for distribution channels (e.g., DVIDS and LinkedIn) and content for digital signage or video-monitor systems.
• Working knowledge of US Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Sustainment Center, and Air Logistics Complexes.
• Familiarity with project management approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle.
• An understanding of how people experience change and the change management process.
• Demonstrated experience working with technical subjects and collaborating with engineers and technical subject matter experts.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated proofreading expertise.
• Ability to work effectively at all levels of an organization and collaborate with project stakeholders.
• Experience printing large-format designs and working with offsite vendors.

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Please provide a PDF portfolio or link to a digital portfolio with your cover letter and resume.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.