Senior Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) Specialist

About the role

DarkStar Intelligence seeks a Senior Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) Specialist to provide expert e-learning instructional systems design support for government training initiatives. This position focuses on developing blended and online courseware tailored for virtual classroom environments. The selected candidate will apply advanced instructional design methodologies, adult learning principles, and e-learning technologies to develop effective training solutions aligned with customer requirements. This role supports the full instructional development lifecycle, including analysis, design, development, testing, and evaluation of digital learning products.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop blended and online courseware or instructional templates for virtual classroom environments.
• Apply adult learning principles, distance learning concepts, graphic design fundamentals, and electronic teaching techniques to develop effective instructional solutions.
• Analyze training requirements to determine course objectives, instructional approach, content scope, duration, and delivery media.
• Apply the ADDIE instructional systems design methodology to produce instructional design plans, storyboards, and final courseware products.
• Develop engaging e-learning content that aligns with learning objectives and customer requirements.
• Test courseware within the Learning Management System (LMS) test environment to ensure functionality and instructional effectiveness.
• Utilize instructional development tools such as Blackboard, Adobe Captivate, and other e-learning platforms to build and deploy training content.
• Monitor developments in learning technologies, LMS platforms, and adult education methodologies to continuously improve course delivery and instructional effectiveness.

Requirements

• Clearance: Active Top Secret / SCI
• Polygraph: Counterintelligence Polygraph preferred
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to maintain a U.S. government TS/SCI clearance

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Adult Learning/Andragogy, or a related field from an accredited institution and at least 6 years of relevant experience
• OR extensive relevant instructional design experience in lieu of a degree

Required Experience

• Demonstrated experience applying instructional design processes and terminology
• Strong knowledge of learning theory, educational psychology, and adult learning principles
• Experience with instructional product development and training evaluation
• Practical experience developing e-learning solutions using LMS platforms
• Practical experience applying computer-based technologies for education and training delivery

Desired Qualifications

• Experience developing courseware for government or intelligence community training programs
• Proficiency with Blackboard, Adobe Captivate, Articulate, or similar e-learning development tools
• Experience supporting virtual classroom or distributed learning environments
• Familiarity with instructional graphics and multimedia learning design

Pay

Salary Range: $130,000 – $140,000 annually. Final compensation is based on experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market data alignment.

Schedule

Full-time on-site support in Washington, DC. No routine travel required.