Senior Instructional Designer - Training Curriculum Development

Instructional Designer Sr, Training Curriculum Dev

Location:

Livermore, CA

Onsite Flexibility:
Hybrid

• Position Type:
  Contract
• Contract Duration: 6 months (with potential to extend)
• Start:
  July 6, 2026
• Pay Rate: $70.00–$75.00 / Hour (USD)
• Travel Requirements:
  Monthly to quarterly travel to client locations is required, including Auburn, Livermore, Vacaville, and Antioch. Additional travel to PGEN watersheds may be required on an as-needed basis. Occasional overnight stays may be necessary to support client meetings and project milestones.
• Work Authorization:
  Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

The client Academy is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Instructional Designer (SID) to support their internal Power Generation client. In this contract role, you will lead the design and development of technical training programs in the Hydro operations work area. Your work will support workforce development, ensure compliance with operational standards, and align with the client's strategic goals.

• Conduct needs assessments and front-end analyses (FEA) to identify training requirements and recommend effective learning solutions for Hydro Operations end users.
• Collaborate with the Senior Learning Strategists and Instructional Designers to determine learning strategies, create curriculum maps, and assessment approaches.
• Work with SMEs to review off-the-shelf courses for inclusion in the Technician curriculum.
• Guide the use of appropriate learning technologies and tools to enhance training effectiveness. Propose solutions to stakeholders.
• Coach and support Instructional Designers to follow the ADDIE model to create new technical training courses.
• Lead the team to meet quality standards; perform quality assurance (QA) reviews.
• Estimate project costs and develop schedules in collaboration with the Senior Learning Strategist and Instructional Designers.
• Manage project execution ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget.
• Facilitate key project meetings, including Kick-offs, Betas, Train-the-Trainers, and Pilots.
• Track project status and provide updates to stakeholders.
• Proactively identify opportunities for improvement. Collect and analyze training effectiveness metrics and apply continuous improvement strategies.
• Archive course materials and complete project close-out activities.

• Must be able to perform task analysis, create or update blended training.
• Must know how to develop and deliver ILT training.
• Must know how to create project schedules.
• Must be a team player and work cohesively with the  and be able to mentor them.
• Ability to work closely with another SID and the SLS.
• Strong knowledge of instructional design for classroom and technical or trades environments.
• Demonstrated experience designing multi-year technical training programs.
• Proven experience managing small to mid-sized projects.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across functions with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Articulate Storyline, video production, and web design.
• Excellent analysis skills.
• Strategic thinking and project management.
• Ability to managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Self-motivated and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience developing apprenticeship programs in skilled trades.
• Experience working in the utility industry, trades or a similar environment.
• Familiarity with tools such as Questionmark, Author-It, MS Teams, and virtual learning platforms.
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence tools to support efficient work.

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, or a related field (or equivalent experience) — required.
• Master's degree in Instructional Design, Education, or a related field — preferred.

• At least 5 years of instructional design experience, including 2 years in a leadership or mentoring role.