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.

• 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

• 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-conform ant 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