Learning Engineer

Department: IT Teaching & Learning Tech

Salary/Grade: ITS/78

Target hiring range: $72, per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

The Learning Engineer will provide curriculum design, technology support, and course development services to faculty in the School of Communication. The Learning Engineer uses instructional design expertise to help assess, design, and co-develop blended digital learning experiences with instructors using Northwestern’s Canvas educational platform and other educational technology applications. The Learning Engineer will report to the Lead Learning Engineer in Northwestern IT Teaching and Learning Technologies, with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Director of Learning Development and Academic Technology in the School of Communication.

The Learning Engineer works in close coordination with instructors who are teaching in the School of Communication’s hybrid and online programs. The Learning Engineer may also work on projects outside of the School of Communication, as long as appropriate coverage of the School’s needs are maintained. The job holder may engage with other Northwestern schools and departments for development of new online courses and blended learning engagements and take part in Teaching & Learning Technologies’ priorities, such as digital accessibility, generative AI programming, and faculty development events.

• This position will require flexible scheduling that includes some weekend and evening work.
• This position is located both on the Chicago and Evanston campuses (Evanston primary).
• This position will require the applicant to carry an NU cell phone or pager.

• Prepare, revise, provide quality assurance, and launch courses in an online or blended format. Actively partner with faculty to identify course objectives and instructional goals, develop curricula, and provide guidance on course presentation and production. Exercise project management skills in working with faculty to develop online, hybrid courses, or blended learning experiences for varied student communities. Offer guidance and mentorship to faculty while the courses are being taught.
• Provide training, guidance, and technical support to auxiliary staff and student cohorts working in online and blended learning environments, including both remote and on-site support across the Chicago and Evanston campuses.
• Engage with faculty who express interest to broaden the reach of instructional design innovations to their courses, especially encouraging the adoption of active learning techniques.
• Collaborate with, train, and support faculty on the adoption of appropriate classroom technologies that can help advance their educational goals. Teach faculty new delivery strategies and pedagogy options. Monitor and maintain the accessibility of the digital learning environment.
• Maintain current knowledge of learning science and instructional design principles for the effective support of online and blended education, peer learning, and active learning practices. Maintain current knowledge of technological changes that impact teaching and learning, including generative AI.
• Collaborate with the School of Communication’s Director Learning Development and Academic Technology and the Directors and Associate Directors of the professional programs on workshops, documentation, and training.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, learning sciences or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with certification in instructional design; or related, higher-education experience with training that is equivalent to the skills and knowledge of these degree credentials.
• Two years of experience working on faculty-driven educational initiatives, bringing instructional design and analysis to the cooperative development work of instructors, educational technology support staff, and teaching assistants.
• 1-3 years’ experience with an LMS.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Understanding of security for university systems.