Senior Instructional Designer – Defense Learning Architect

Sherpa 6, Inc.; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherpa 6, Inc. seeks two highly analytical Instructional Designers (one Senior and one Mid-level) to architect learning experiences for complex technical products and Warfighter readiness.

You will conduct deep root-cause analysis to uncover true training needs and translate findings into storyboard requirements, ensuring every asset directly drives performance and readiness. In this role, you’ll partner with our technical writing, customer support, and engineering teams to create high-quality

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Instructional Design or related field plus three or more years working in an Instructional Design role with responsibility for end-to-end creation of instructor-led and/or eLearning materials
• Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design or related field plus five or more years working in an Instructional Design role with responsibility for end-to-end creation of instructor-led and/or eLearning materials
• Subject matter expert in Microsoft Office applications
• Comfortable with written communication and documentation
• Self-starter with the ability to dive in with minimal direction
• Flexible, with experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with courseware authoring tools such as Articulate 360
• Must possess an active Secret Security Clearance

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with instructional design team, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to implement instructional strategies supporting diverse adult learners by translating complex technical information into accessible learning content
• Have a demonstrated ability to conduct task analysis using the SAT method, and the ability to identify performance gaps, target audience characteristics, and environmental constraints
• Can derive concrete design requirements directly from analysis data and apply adult learning theories (Knowles, Gagné) to shape instructional strategies
• Strong communications skills and adept at presenting and collaborating with team and stakeholders
• Create detailed storyboards for a variety of learning experiences (video, computer-based training) that communicate the visual user experience including scripts, on-screen text, and interactive elements
• Maintain connection from analysis results, to learning objectives, to training content, to learner readiness to perform in the operational environment
• Can develop training materials using sound instructional design methods, including presentations, instructor and participant guides, classroom activities, and scenario-based exercises
• Use scenario-based training and problem-based learning approaches to promote critical thinking and decision making in learners
• Are skilled in learning analytics or assessment strategy designed to measure and improve the impact of training
• Perform quality assurance reviews, content updates, and continuous improvement based on learner and team feedback
• Are skilled in conducting interviews with subject matter experts to identify training needs
• Understand how to review materials for instructional quality and soundness
• Manage multiple concurrent projects using agile or iterative project management methodologies

Skills

Root-cause analysis

Storyboarding

Instructional design

Communication skills

Task analysis (SAT method)

Education

Master’s degree in Instructional Design or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design or related field

Tools

Articulate Storyline

Articulate 360

PowerPoint

MS Office

Jira

SharePoint

Job description

Sherpa 6, Inc. seeks two highly analytical Instructional Designers (one Senior and one Mid-level) to architect learning experiences for complex technical products and Warfighter readiness.

You will conduct deep root-cause analysis to uncover true training needs and translate findings into storyboard requirements, ensuring every asset directly drives performance and readiness. In this role, you’ll partner with our technical writing, customer support, and engineering teams to create high-quality