Instructional System Designer (ISD)

Primary Function

The Instructional Systems Designer is the learning-system architect for our military courseware and training-device programs. This role owns the design of the training system end-to-end: analyzing performance requirements, defining terminal and enabling learning objectives, sequencing instruction, and specifying every training product so it fits a single, coherent system. ISDs on this team are the internal customer to courseware developers, multimedia developers, and training-device engineering. They translate Customer-aligned task and mission analysis into design documents that drive courseware, CBT/IMI (Levels I–IV), training aids, and simulator/PTT training.

Essential Responsibilities

• Spend ≥80% of time on core instructional-systems-design work.
• Overlap into adjacent roles (SME support, review of build products, instructor input) is expected on a small team but is not the primary mission.
• Front-end analysis.
• Conduct or lead task, mission, learning, media, and audience analysis (ADDIE / PADDIE+M) to establish performance requirements and training gaps.
• Learning objectives & hierarchies.
• Author terminal and enabling objectives with conditions and standards; build objective hierarchies and sequencing maps that stand up to customer review.
• Design documents.
• Produce Instructional Media Design Packages (IMDP), Training Project Plans (TPP), Training System Plans, Course Training Task Lists (CTTL), and NAVAIR training materials in accordance with applicable MIL-HDBK / MIL-PRF standards (e.g., MIL-HDBK-29612 series, MIL-PRF-29612 where applicable).
• Media & fidelity selection.
• Recommend the appropriate blend of print, instructor-led, IMI Level I–IV, VR/AR, and device-based training based on task criticality, frequency, and cost — with defensible rationale.
• Storyboarding & scripting.
• Develop storyboards, scripts, and interaction specifications for IMI and CBT that give courseware and multimedia teams a buildable, testable target.
• Assessment design.
• Design knowledge and performance assessments (written, scenario-based, sim/device) that measure the stated objectives; specify pass/fail criteria and remediation paths.
• SME orchestration.
• Elicit accurate content from Subject Matter Experts, validate for operational fidelity, and keep SMEs focused on content — not design, build, or delivery.
• Product-fit ownership.
• Review courseware, multimedia, and training-device output against the design; flag drift; approve products for release into the training system.
• Continuous improvement.
• Ingest instructor and student feedback, training effectiveness data, and post-course reviews; drive revisions back through the design.
• Customer engagement.
• Support NAVAIR / Government customer meetings, technical reviews (PDR/CDR-style events), and In-Progress Reviews with clear design artifacts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Education. Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Systems, Education, Educational Technology, Learning Sciences, or a closely related field (or equivalent DoD training-development experience).
• Experience. 5–10 years of hands-on ISD work, with a minimum of 3 years on active military courseware development contracts (Navy / NAVAIR / NAWCTSD strongly preferred; USAF / Army training equivalents considered).
• Methodology. Demonstrated fluency with ADDIE and PADDIE+M and the ability to produce compliant deliverables against NAVAIR training standards.
• Standards. Working knowledge of MIL-HDBK-29612 series, SCORM, xAPI, Section 508 accessibility, and Interactive Courseware (ICW) / IMI Level I–IV constructs.
• Design artifacts. Can independently produce learning objective hierarchies, storyboards, IMDPs, TPPs, CTTLs, and test/assessment plans that pass customer review with minimal rework.
• Tooling. Proficient with Microsoft Word / SharePoint / Teams; comfortable specifying builds for Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Rise, and equivalent authoring tools (specification, not necessarily authoring, is the ISD lane).
• Clearance eligibility. U.S. Citizen. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance; ability to pass a Government background investigation is required.
• Location. Currently resides in the Oklahoma City metro or willing to relocate before start date. This role is on-site — not remote or hybrid.
• Communication. Writes clearly for both technical and non-technical audiences; presents design decisions to Government customers and internal leadership with confidence.
• Preferred Requirements. Active Top-Secret clearance (SCI eligibility a plus). Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Systems, or Learning Sciences. Direct experience on NAVAIR / NAWCTSD, PMA, or COMNAVAIRFOR training programs. Experience designing training for simulators, PTTs, VSIM, or other high-fidelity training devices. Familiarity with human performance improvement (HPI), Kirkpatrick evaluation, and training effectiveness measurement. CPT (Certified Performance Technologist), ATD APTD/CPTD, or equivalent credentials. Experience supporting proposal responses (technical volume writing, past-performance narratives, staffing plans) for DoD training contracts.

Position Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Education Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off

EEO AA M/F/Vet/Disability