Technical Training Development Specialist
Our client's technical training team has a backlog of courses waiting to be built, and its SMEs have been developing content themselves. As the senior Technical Training Development Specialist, you'll design, develop and continuously improve ILT, CBT, assessments and instructor materials for their operational and maintenance environments. You'll hold instructional design authority with SMEs, set the standard the junior specialist builds to, and turn complex technical information into structured, performance-focused learning.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead analysis and design for courses from the Technical Training manager's backlog, starting with Detailed Inspector (DI): Precision Measurement, using ADDIE, SAM or a similar model.
- Collaborate with SMEs to collect, organize and validate technical content from drafts, manuals and work instructions, while keeping instructional design authority and training standards.
- Write measurable learning objectives and make sure every assessment, knowledge check and practical exercise lines up with them and with expected job performance.
- Design performance-based activities where learners use a tool, follow a process and show they can do the task, applying adult learning and cognitive load principles.
- Move practice off the physical practice engines where it makes sense, using scenarios, simulations, job aids and demonstrations so shop equipment is saved for the steps that need it.
- Shape tiered levels of course complexity and a competency-based test-out approach, so experienced FAA-certificated technicians aren't retaught what they already know.
- Design for a very wide learner range, from certificated mechanics to new hires with no technical background.
- Develop visually professional courseware in multiple formats: ILT with Instructor Guides and learner materials, CBT/WBT in Articulate Storyline and Rise, and job aids, with graphics, technical illustrations and interactive activities.
- Deliver against client's milestone gates (outline, Module 1 sample, 60%, 90%, 100%), with up to two review rounds each.
- Keep branding, revision control and documentation consistent with enterprise Technical Training standards, so materials can be deployed globally. Manage files and versions in Box.
- Send a weekly status update every Friday and respond to client requests within 24 business hours.
- Review the junior specialist's work, give practical feedback, and help drive continuous improvement in instructional quality.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in instructional design, learning and development, education, instructional technology, organizational development or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
- 7+ years designing and developing training, including ILT and CBT built from technical or procedural content
- ATD certification (CPTD or APTD)
- Strong working knowledge of adult learning theory, cognitive load theory, ISD and performance-based learning
- Hands-on use of ADDIE, SAM or a similar development model
- Proficiency in Articulate Storyline and Rise, PowerPoint, Microsoft Office and an LMS
- A portfolio showing performance-based activities, assessments and Instructor Guides, not only information-heavy slides
- Clear understanding of how technical, performance-based training differs from soft-skills training
- Strong writing, communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage several development projects at once
Preferred Qualifications
- Technical training design for aviation, manufacturing, industrial operations or maintenance
- Experience building maintenance, operational readiness or performance-based qualification training
- Familiarity with competency-based training and qualification frameworks, including tiered curricula and test-out assessments
- Experience in regulated or compliance-driven environments (FAA, OSHA or similar)
- Mechanical aptitude or a technical or maintenance background
- Familiarity with Absorb LMS
Timeline: Sept 28, 2026- Dec 31, 2027
Schedule: Full time/ 40 hrs week; ability to work US EST business hours
Location: 100% Remote (US Eastern hours)
Target Rate: $60/hr+ as 1099; commensurate with experience