Instructional Design Intern: Shape Learning, Drive Change

Learnitude; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; Full time

Job description

We're seeking an Instructional Design Intern who brings curiosity about instructional design and a commitment to creating experiences that drive real change. You'll support our work with federal agencies on high-stakes challenges, from organizational onboarding to international development, helping shape how thousands of learners worldwide discover their potential.

NOTE: This DC-based role requires regular in-person work. Coursework samples or a class project are welcome in place of a professional portfolio. Please include an example of your learning design work with your application.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with our designers and stakeholders to help design learning solutions that create lasting behavioral change
• Contribute to needs assessments that uncover what learners actually need to succeed
• Help design and evaluate experiences grounded in learning sciences, applying adult learning theory, cognitive science, and motivation research
• Build accessible resources across modalities: instructor-led sessions, eLearning, simulations, job aids, and multimedia
• Support visual design aligned with client branding and learner engagement
• Assist with onsite training delivery and adapt to real-time learner needs
• Learn directly from our design team through hands-on mentorship, and bring fresh ideas to our practice

This role blends hands-on learning with team collaboration. You'll work alongside experienced designers, applying learning sciences to real client solutions and connecting design decisions to measurable outcomes.

Required

• Currently enrolled in an instructional design, ed-tech, or learning-sciences program
• A commitment to professional development and growing in the field
• Strong communication skills, translating complex concepts clearly across technical and non-technical audiences
• Foundational understanding of instructional design, learning theories, and evidence-based practice
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality. You measure success by learner outcomes, not just deliverables
• Sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree (or in progress) in adult education, educational technology, instructional design, learning sciences, or equivalent experience
• Exposure to international development, federal contracting, or foreign assistance programs where learning drives mission-critical outcomes
• Familiarity with learning technologies (e.g., authoring tools, learning management systems)
• Interest in gamification, scenario-based learning, or other engagement strategies that boost motivation and transfer
• Language fluency (particularly valuable for our international development work)
• Coursework or projects demonstrating range, showing both strategic thinking and execution