Robotics Lead Mentor

At KIPP NorCal, we are a thriving nonprofit network of free, public charter schools open to all students. We believe all children should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves, and schools play a critical role in making that vision a reality. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen paths—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Our student community includes over 7,000 elementary, middle, and high school students across East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jose, Redwood City, and Stockton. We strive to cultivate a representative team of educators and leaders that reflects our students' diversity.

About the Role

The Robotics Lead Mentor leads KIPP King Collegiate's FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) program, creating an engaging, safe, and high-quality engineering experience that develops students' technical knowledge, leadership skills, and passion for STEM. This role partners with the Robotics Club Advisor, volunteer mentors, families, and school staff to deliver a successful year-round robotics program, including preseason activities, competition season, and community outreach. You will own projects end-to-end with real autonomy over execution, making day-to-day decisions and involving your manager only when program direction or resource needs change.

Responsibilities

• Robotics Program Leadership
  • Lead the planning and execution of the FIRST Robotics Competition program, ensuring students participate in a structured, engaging, and high-quality robotics experience throughout the year.
  • Develop seasonal plans, practice schedules, competition preparation, and outreach activities that maximize student learning, teamwork, and competitive readiness.
  • Implement program improvements informed by student outcomes, mentor feedback, and evolving FIRST Robotics best practices.
• Student Development and Competition
  • Lead technical instruction in engineering design, programming, fabrication, and robotics systems so students build the skills necessary to compete successfully and safely.
  • Coordinate participation in all competitions, preseason events, and outreach opportunities, ensuring students are prepared academically, technically, and behaviorally.
  • Develop a team culture that promotes collaboration, perseverance, inclusion, academic responsibility, and gracious professionalism.
• Volunteer and Community Partnership
  • Coordinate volunteer mentors by aligning responsibilities with individual expertise and ensuring consistent support for student learning and team operations.
  • Develop strong partnerships with families, school staff, community organizations, and competition partners that strengthen student participation and program sustainability.
  • Implement communication systems that keep families and stakeholders informed about practices, competitions, travel, and program expectations.
• Program Operations and Compliance
  • Manage robotics facilities, equipment, tools, and materials to ensure safe, organized, and effective program operations.
  • Implement safety procedures, required certifications, and student training so all activities comply with FIRST Robotics, school, and district requirements.
  • Coordinate travel logistics, facility reservations, equipment inventory, and operational planning that support successful competitions and events.
• Budget and Resource Stewardship
  • Manage the robotics program budget, monitoring expenditures and ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support student learning and competition goals.
  • Coordinate fundraising and grant opportunities with the Robotics Club Advisor and school leadership to sustain and expand program opportunities.
  • Maintain accurate inventories of robotics equipment, tools, and supplies to ensure responsible stewardship of program resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

KIPP Leadership Competencies

These competencies describe the core leadership behaviors expected at this level—they guide how we hire, develop, and grow our people at KIPP NorCal.

• Lead Self: You seek diverse feedback, adjust your approach based on your impact on others, and continuously develop your expertise. You interrupt bias, advocate for equitable practices, and share your knowledge with peers.
• Lead People: You build authentic relationships across lines of difference and foster inclusion and psychological safety. You communicate the rationale for change, build buy-in, and surface resistance early. You partner across teams, identify coordination gaps, and resolve them proactively.
• Lead Results: You translate strategy into project plans and manage competing priorities without losing sight of outcomes. You use data to analyze problems and inform decisions, deliver on time and scope, and manage up effectively—flagging risks early and bringing options when facing obstacles.

Qualifications

• Experience Required
  • Minimum two years of experience mentoring, coaching, teaching, or leading a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team or comparable STEM program.
  • Experience leading project-based learning or engineering instruction with high school students.
• Education
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.
• Knowledge & Skills
  • Demonstrated knowledge of FIRST Robotics Competition rules, engineering design processes, and robotics systems.
  • Experience safely operating fabrication equipment, hand tools, and power tools used in robotics.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities throughout the robotics season.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with students, families, volunteers, and school staff.
  • Commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive.
  • Ability to maintain current First Aid/CPR certification and complete all required NFHS coaching certifications.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with CAD software, 3D printing, CNC routers, mills, or machining.
  • Experience securing grants or fundraising for STEM programs.
  • Experience working in a K–12 school or youth development environment.

Role Details

• Work Setting: School-facing
• Travel Expectation: Frequent travel to competitions and occasional travel to outreach events
• Driver’s License: Must have a valid CA driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel
• Physical Demands: Ability to navigate school campuses, supervise students, use technology, operate robotics equipment, and occasionally lift or carry materials up to 30 lbs.
• Mental Demands: Ability to manage competing priorities, analyze technical problems, supervise students, and make sound decisions in fast-paced environments
• Environmental Demands: Primarily school-based environment, including workshops, classrooms, and competition venues with regular travel between sites.

KIPP Northern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Pay

The hourly rate for this position is $18–$20 per hour, plus eligible medical benefits for employees.