Instructional Designer & Curriculum Developer

Rippling, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BCBS medical/dental/vision coverage

401(K) with company match

On-site gym

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Competitive salary and generous PTO

Job summary

Performance Drone Works (PDW) in Huntsville, AL is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer to build training for unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies. You will develop lesson plans, guides, eLearning content, and assessments, collaborating with engineers and SMEs to turn complex technical information into clear, learner-focused material.

This role requires strong writing, project management, and familiarity with LMS tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• 3–5 years of instructional design or technical training for complex products.
• Experience creating lesson plans, guides, presentations, exercises, assessments, and eLearning content.
• Strong writing and ability to translate engineering information into learner-friendly content; security clearance eligible.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain technical training curricula for UAS and related tech.
• Create training materials including lesson plans, guides, presentations, exercises, and assessments.
• Collaborate with engineers and SMEs to translate complex information into clear learning experiences.
• Ensure materials align with publications, product updates, safety procedures.
• Evaluate curriculum and improve through feedback and new product releases.

Skills

Technical writing

Curriculum design

Learning theory

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Technical Communication, Adult Learning, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Tools

SharePoint

GitLab

LMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions.

You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain technical training curricula for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), payloads, software, and related technologies.
• Create comprehensive training materials, including lesson plans, instructor and student guides, presentations, practical exercises, assessments, job aids, and eLearning content.
• Collaborate with engineers, technical writers, trainers, and subject-matter experts to translate complex technical information into clear, effective learning experiences.
• Ensure training materials align with technical publications, engineering changes, product updates, safety requirements, and approved operating and maintenance procedures.
• Evaluate and continuously improve curriculum through learner feedback, training observations, assessments, and support for new product releases and standardized training delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Technical Communication, Adult Learning, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–5 years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or technical training for complex technical products such as UAS, aerospace, defense, robotics, software, or similar industries.
• Experience developing technical documents, technical training, including lesson plans, instructor and student guides, presentations, practical exercises, assessments, and eLearning content using adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to translate complex engineering and maintenance information into clear, learner-focused content while collaborating with engineers and subject-matter experts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and content management/version control tools (SharePoint, GitLab, LMS) and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Preferred

• Experience developing technical training for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), aerospace, defense, aviation, robotics, or other complex technical products.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), military, public safety, or defense contractor programs.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and eLearning authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline, Rise 360, Adobe Captivate, or Camtasia.
• Experience creating multimedia learning content, including instructional videos, graphics, diagrams, animations, or interactive learning assets.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or familiarity with unmanned aircraft operations and aviation safety.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move throughout the workday, operate standard office and audiovisual equipment, and occasionally lift or carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel to customer sites, production facilities, training locations, or field exercises may be required. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.

This position primarily operates in an office environment with periodic work in manufacturing facilities, classrooms, maintenance areas, flight-line environments, customer locations, or military installations. The role requires collaboration across multiple departments and occasional travel to support training, curriculum validation, product launches, and customer events. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non-climate-controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. Standard work hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT with occasional overtime and travel as business needs require.

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• On-site gym at our Huntsville, AL and Denver, CO locations.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.