Senior Instructional Designer

Senior Instructional Designer

Steampunk is seeking a Senior Instructional Designer to lead workforce capability-building for a large federal advisory program, using a "lead by doing" model that transfers skills directly to client staff rather than classroom-only training. You'll work as part of a cross-functional team, engaging stakeholders and end users to build training that drives real adoption of new processes and capabilities.

Contributions

• Deliver and maintain a Workforce Capacity Building Plan
• Conduct learning needs analyses and develop learner personas to tailor training to diverse user needs
• Conduct user research and coordinate with subject matter experts to scope learning content and structure learning paths
• Design and deliver guided-walkthrough training for client staff, applying adult-learning design models (e.g., ADDIE, Bloom's Taxonomy), with monthly completion tracking and knowledge checks
• Produce knowledge-transfer artifacts (playbooks, training materials, process guides) in modern formats — micro-learnings, podcasts, video — built for continued self-service use after transition
• Embed coaching and mentoring directly into live governance, portfolio, and communications work rather than confining it to a classroom
• Build train-the-trainer structures and long-term governance plans so client staff can sustain training programs independently after transition
• Support quarterly workforce capability assessments measuring demonstrated staff independence against the program's transition target

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Instructional Design, Education, or a related field
• 8+ years of instructional design experience, including hands-on/embedded coaching models (not classroom-only design)
• Working knowledge of instructional design methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, Bloom's Taxonomy)
• Demonstrated experience building multi-format learning content (micro-learning, video, playbooks)
• Experience designing and tracking large-scale training programs
• Experience producing Section 508/WCAG-conformant training content
• Proficiency with MS Office and instructional design/multimedia authoring tools (e.g., Articulate, Camtasia, Vyond)
• Strong facilitation and adult-learning design skills
• Ability to convey complex information clearly in writing and in presentation format
• Experience collaborating within a multidisciplinary delivery team, including design, technical, and change-management specialists
• Local to Baltimore, MD metro area and willing to go on client site at least 2 days a week

Preferred:

• Experience building knowledge-transfer programs intended to reduce long-term contractor dependency
• Federal or large enterprise client experience
• Familiarity with Design Thinking/HCD practices
• Previous experience working as a consultant

About Steampunk

Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $110,000 to $170,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk's total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. If you want to learn more about our story, visit

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Steampunk participates in the E-Verify program.