Upper School Robotics Coach

Spectrum 360 A NJ Non Profit Corp.; Englewood (NJ); On-site; USD 14,000 - 17,000; Part time

Job summary

Dwight-Englewood School seeks an experienced, student-centered Upper School Robotics Coach to lead its well-established robotics program for grades 9–12 as it enters its 20th year. The role focuses on programming, CAD modeling, systems integration, and iterative problem-solving within a collaborative team environment.

The successful candidate will blend technical expertise with teaching, project management, mentorship, and adolescent development, guiding students to think, design, lead, and

Qualifications

• Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, or supervising adolescents.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication; commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethics with students, families, and colleagues.
• Knowledge of student well-being and developmentally appropriate coaching.
• Knowledge of diversity, multiculturalism, and anti-bias education in work with Upper School students.
• Personal and professional alignment to the school's mission, vision, and values.
• Preferred experience in robotics, engineering, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Attend and supervise approximately six weekend competitions each year.
• Establish team structures, leadership roles, and communication practices.
• Develop a structured progression of technical and leadership skills.
• Guide students through the full engineering design process from problem identification to testing and competition.
• Ensure students have meaningful roles and understand their contributions to the team.
• Promote collaboration across programming, mechanical, CAD, strategy, outreach, and other areas.
• Create and manage a seasonal project plan with milestones and schedules.
• Mentor student leaders and teach communication, decision-making, accountability, and team management.
• Maintain an inclusive, respectful culture and support student well-being.
• Collaborate with faculty, alumni, mentors, and partners to expand learning and exposure to engineering pathways.

Skills

Teaching/coaching adolescents

Project management

Communication

DEI commitment

Adolescent development

Tools

CAD modeling

Programming

FTC robotics program

Job description

Upper School Robotics Coach

Job Title: Upper School Robotics Coach

Department: Upper School

Reports To: Upper School Principal and Chief Innovation Officer

Classification: Stipend Part-time

Position Overview: Dwight-Englewood School seeks an experienced, student-centered Upper School Robotics Coach to lead its well-established robotics program as it enters its 20th year. Open to students in Grades 9-12, the program competes in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and develops skills in programming, mechanical design, CAD modeling, systems integration, and iterative problem-solving.

The successful candidate will combine technical expertise with strong skills in teaching, project management, mentorship, and adolescent development. The coach will build an inclusive, collaborative team culture in which students develop not only technical knowledge, but also leadership, creativity, collaboration, ethical reasoning, communication, resilience, and a joy of learning. Students do not merely build robots, but learn how to think, design, lead, and solve problems in a changing world.

Grounded in FIRST's principle of Gracious Professionalism, the program emphasizes meaningful learning over competition outcomes alone. Students are encouraged to experiment, take intellectual risks, and learn through iteration while contributing responsibly to a shared team goal.

Key Responsibilities

The team begins meeting in September, with the primary competition season running from November through March. The Upper School Robotics Coach will:

• Attend and supervise approximately six weekend competitions each year, providing active student oversight throughout each full-day competition.
• Establish clear team structures, student leadership roles, expectations, and communication practices.
• Develop a structured progression of technical and leadership skills for both new and experienced team members.
• Guide students through the full engineering design process, from problem identification and prototyping through testing, iteration, documentation, and competition.
• Ensure that all students have meaningful roles and understand how their individual work contributes to the success of the full team.
• Promote collaboration across programming, mechanical, CAD, strategy, outreach, and other functional areas.
• Create and manage a realistic seasonal project plan, including milestones, deadlines, task assignments, testing schedules, and competition preparation.
• Mentor student leaders and explicitly teach communication, decision-making, accountability, conflict resolution, and team management.
• Maintain a culture grounded in inclusion, respect, and student well-being.
• Collaborate with faculty members, alumni, professional mentors, and community partners to expand students' technical learning and exposure to engineering pathways.
• Supervise practices, competitions, travel, equipment use, and student activities in accordance with school policies and safety expectations.
• Communicate regularly and professionally with students, families, faculty members, administrators, mentors, and competition organizers.
• Actively support the Mission of the School and put that vision into daily practice.

Position Requirements

• Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, or supervising adolescent
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical conduct in all aspects of work with students, families, and colleagues.
• Knowledge and commitment to student well-being,and developmentally appropriate coaching.
• Ability to complete require
• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, multiculturalism, and anti-bias education in all aspects of the work with Upper School students, families, and colleagues.
• Personal and professional alignment to the school's mission, vision, and values

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in robotics, engineering, computer science, fabrication, product development, or a closely related field.
• Ability to teach and reinforce skills in programming, mechanical construction, CAD modeling, engineering design, testing, and systems integration to students with varying levels of experience.

Terms of Employment

• This is a part-time, 7-month coaching position from mid-September - mid-April.
• Practices are held 3 days/week from 3:45 - 6:15,. The coach is expected to be present from 3:30 - 6:30.
• The position includes a stipend of up to $15,000 based on experience

Dwight-Englewood School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or military veteran status. The diversity of our student body supports our commitment to employ a diverse faculty and staff. Educators from all backgrounds who bring knowledge and expertise in equity, diversity and multicultural education are especially encouraged to apply.