Technical Instructional Design Specialist

GKN Aerospace

$103K — $115K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Instructional Design or Engineering.
  • 5+ years of experience in instructional design and curriculum development.
  • Experience in developing learning programs for complex environments like manufacturing or aerospace.
  • Knowledge and experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS).
  • Strong understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design best practices.
  • Excellent technical writing and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and implementation of comprehensive training programs.
  • Develop scalable learning solutions for employee onboarding and upskilling.
  • Collaborate with SMEs and departments to define training needs and objectives.
  • Conduct assessments to identify skill gaps and necessary training.
  • Transform technical content into engaging learning experiences.
  • Create a range of learning materials, including eLearning and instructor-led content.

Benefits

  • Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
  • Opportunity to influence employee skill development and operational excellence.
  • Collaborative work environment with diverse teams and SMEs.
  • Involvement in cutting-edge training solutions in complex industries.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

The Technical Instructional Design Specialist is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of learning programs that support employee development, operational excellence, compliance, and workforce capability building. This role serves as the primary architect of technical and non-technical curricula, qualification frameworks, job-specific learning pathways, and Learning Management System (LMS) content.

Working closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Engineering, Operations, Quality, Safety, Human Resources, and Leadership, the Technical Instructional Design Specialist transforms complex technical information, manufacturing processes, work instructions, policies, and business requirements into engaging, effective learning experiences. The ideal candidate has expertise in instructional design, adult learning principles, curriculum development, learning technologies, and training program management, with the ability to develop both instructor-led and digital learning solutions.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Curriculum Design & Development
  • Lead the end-to-end design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of technical, operational, compliance, quality, safety, leadership, and professional development training programs.
  • Design scalable learning solutions that support employee onboarding, upskilling, and cross-training.
  • Partner with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Engineering, Operations, Quality, Safety, Human Resources, and Leadership to identify training requirements and define learning objectives.
  • Conduct job task analyses, training needs assessments, and competency evaluations to identify skill gaps and training opportunities.
  • Translate complex technical information, engineering specifications, manufacturing processes, work instructions, policies, procedures, and business requirements into learner-centered training content.
  • Design and develop training materials utilizing adult learning principles and instructional design best practices.


Learning Content Development

Develop and maintain learning content including:
  • Instructor-Led Training (ILT)
  • Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)
  • eLearning Modules
  • Interactive Digital Learning Content
  • Job Aids
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Technical Work Instructions
  • Facilitator Guides
  • Participant Guides and Workbooks
  • Knowledge Assessments and Testing Materials
  • On-the-Job Training (OJT) Materials
  • Train-the-Trainer Programs


Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Organizational Development, Human Resources, Business, Engineering, Technical Communications, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, learning and development, technical training, or workforce development.
  • Demonstrated experience developing technical and non-technical learning programs within a manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, engineering, defense, or similarly complex environment.
  • Experience designing learning pathways, qualification programs, competency models, and certification frameworks.
  • Experience administering Learning Management Systems (LMS) and digital learning platforms.
  • Strong knowledge of instructional design principles, curriculum development methodologies, and adult learning theory.
  • Excellent written communication, technical writing, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong project management, organizational, and collaboration skills.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Certification in Instructional Design, Learning & Development, or Adult Learning (ATD, CPTD, Kirkpatrick, or similar).
  • Experience with eLearning authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Rise, Captivate, Camtasia, or similar platforms.
  • Experience developing competency frameworks, career progression programs, and workforce development strategies.
  • Experience within aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or highly regulated industries.
  • Knowledge of quality systems, compliance training, and regulatory requirements.
  • Experience supporting change management and organizational transformation initiatives.


Annual Compensation

Salary Range: $103,000.00 - $115,000.00

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