Instructional Designer

DataCouch; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DataCouch in the United States is seeking Senior Instructional Designers to craft learner-centered AI training. You will collaborate with SMEs, train managers and stakeholders, owning course design end-to-end from needs analysis to delivery. The role focuses on modular, measurable learning objectives, engaging activities and robust assessments, with full remote flexibility and project-based engagements.

Qualifications

• 7-8 years hands-on instructional design experience.
• Deep knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies.
• Proven experience working with SMEs on technical content and simplifying it for different audiences.
• Portfolio showing end-to-end design work: needs analysis, storyboards, assessments and final deliverables.
• Strong skills in storyboarding, content structuring, scriptwriting and assessment design.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to defend design decisions.
• Ability to work independently and stay productive in a fully remote setup.
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, Learning Technology, Communications, Technology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Meet with SMEs, training manager and stakeholders to understand business goals and learning outcomes.
• Run needs analytics and audience analysis to decide learning approach and depth.
• Turn complex AI/technical content into clear, measurable learning objectives and modules.
• Create design documents, blueprints, storyboards, scripts and content outlines.
• Develop or oversee eLearning, ILT, vILT and blended content according to project needs.
• Lead review cycles with stakeholders and manage feedback within timelines.
• Ensure accessibility, branding and style guidelines across content.
• Stay current with learning technologies including generative AI in learning design.

Skills

Instructional design

Adult learning

Storyboarding

Assessment design

English fluency

Stakeholder management

Remote work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Articulate Storyline/Rise

Adobe Captivate

LMS (SCORM/xAPI)

Job description

About the Opportunity

We are looking for Senior Instructional Designers to support a global enterprise client that is building internal training on Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies. The client's teams are already advanced in AI and have deep technical expertise. What they need from you is the instructional design capability to turn that expertise into well-structured, learner-centered courses.

You will work directly with technical subject matter experts (SMEs), the client's training manager and internal business stakeholders. You will own the design of each course from the first conversation through to final delivery.

Work is project-based. Engagements typically run for the length of a project and are extended for as long as the demand continues and your performance is strong.

Key Responsibilities

Analysis and Discovery

• Meet with SMEs, the training manager and internal customers to understand business goals, target audiences, skill gaps and expected learning outcomes
• Run needs analysis and audience analysis to decide the right learning approach, format and depth for each course
• Review source material such as technical documents, presentations, code walkthroughs and research, and identify what learners need to know versus what is simply nice to know

Design

• Turn complex AI and technical content into clear, measurable learning objectives, logical course structures and learner-friendly modules
• Apply proven instructional design models and frameworks (ADDIE, SAM, Bloom's Taxonomy, Gagné's Nine Events, Merrill's Principles, etc.) and justify design decisions to stakeholders
• Create design documents, course blueprints, storyboards, scripts and content outlines
• Design practical learning activities such as scenarios, case studies, hands-on exercises, simulations and labs so learners can apply what they learn
• Build assessments, knowledge checks and evaluation strategies aligned to learning objectives (including Kirkpatrick-style measurement where relevant)

Development

• Develop or oversee development of eLearning, instructor-led (ILT), virtual instructor-led (vILT) and blended learning content, depending on project needs
• Create facilitator guides, learner guides, job aids, slide decks and supporting reference material
• Work with media, multimedia and technical teams where required, and provide clear specifications and reviews
• Ensure content follows accessibility standards and brand and style guidelines

Collaboration and Delivery

• Lead review cycles with SMEs and stakeholders, manage feedback and reach agreement on revisions within agreed timelines
• Challenge content constructively, for example by simplifying, sequencing or cutting material when it does not serve the learner
• Manage several deliverables at once, track progress and flag risks early
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders in different time zones and work independently with minimal supervision
• Maintain version control, documentation and quality standards across all deliverables

Continuous Improvement

• Gather learner and stakeholder feedback and use it to improve future versions
• Stay current with learning technologies and trends, including the use of generative AI in learning design

Required Qualifications

• 7-8 years of hands-on instructional design experience , ideally in corporate or enterprise learning
• Deep knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies
• Proven experience working closely with SMEs on technical or complex subject matter and simplifying it for different audiences
• A portfolio or work samples showing end-to-end design work: needs analysis, storyboards, assessments and final deliverables
• Strong skills in storyboarding, content structuring, scriptwriting and assessment design
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence in defending design decisions
• Ability to work independently and stay productive in a fully remote setup
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, Learning Technology, Communications, Technology or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing training on AI, machine learning, data science, cloud, software or other technical topics
• Familiarity with generative AI concepts and tools (LLMs, prompt engineering, AI-assisted content creation)
• Proficiency in authoring tools such as [Articulate Storyline / Rise, Adobe Captivate, or others: to be confirmed]
• Experience with LMS platforms [to be confirmed] and standards such as SCORM and xAPI
• Experience with VILT platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams or similar
• Master's degree or a recognized certification in instructional design or learning and development
• Experience mentoring junior IDs or reviewing the work of others

What Success Looks Like

• SMEs feel heard, and their content is turned into courses that learners can actually follow
• Courses are delivered on time with minimal rework
• Learning objectives, activities and assessments are clearly aligned
• Stakeholders trust your judgment, and your engagement is extended

Benefits

• Performance based rewards
• Opportunity for growth and advancement within the company
• Comprehensive training program
• Positive work environment