Senior Instructional Designer - Dev Testing and R&D Experience

Senior Instructional Designer with Dev Testing and R & D Experience

📍 Location: This is a hybrid position (3 days onsite, 2 days remote), with onsite required in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Who We Are

SweetRush is a consulting, design, and staffing firm specializing in HR-related services that help foster life-centered businesses and organizations. Our work includes designing unique learning experiences using agency-level graphics and leading-edge technology; creating high-performing cultures, leaders, and teams; and helping our clients grow their learning teams with qualified professionals.

Many of our clients are household names with large international operations, while others are small nonprofits whose work we value as essential to the world. We try to balance the work we do for profit with the work we do to spread good things in the world.

SweetRush is a leader in learning and development, making use of emerging technologies (AI, VR, and AR), games, storytelling, chatbots, interactive virtual and in-person experiences, and so on, all while grounding our work in vibrant and impactful human-centered design. The many awards we win annually reflect the care we put into our craft and our collaborations with clients. We’ve been grateful to have won awards with Hilton, Google, Bridgestone, Adidas, SHRM, and numerous others.

We are a completely virtual, tight-knit, talented community that spans the globe, a culture-forward team that values diversity, respect, and caring. Our folks tend to stick around, as do our clients.

We like to think we stand apart from competitors for the uniqueness and innovation of everything we create—and for who we are. And we’re committed to hiring talent that’s as creative, innovative, and caring as everyone on our team. This is where you come in…

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and technical Senior Instructional Designer to join our Research and Development (R&D) team. This role is critical in designing and developing innovative learning solutions for engineers, test drivers, and field operations personnel working on our autonomous vehicle (AV) technology.

The ideal candidate will translate complex technical concepts from our R&D and Development Testing programs into effective, scalable learning experiences. This position requires a professional who can operate at the intersection of instructional design principles and the fast-paced, safety-critical nature of autonomous vehicle development.

Key Responsibilities

Learning Design and Development

• Design and develop comprehensive training programs for technical, operational, and frontline audiences involved in AV development, testing, and field operations.
• Apply instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM) and adult learning principles to create engaging learning experiences focused on AV safety protocols, complex hardware and software systems, and on-the-road testing procedures.
• Conduct thorough needs analyses with R&D engineers, test managers, and subject matter experts to inform design decisions and address specific performance gaps.
• Develop learning objectives tied to measurable behavioral outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs) for testing and operational efficiency.

Content Creation and Media Production

• Create compelling multimedia learning content for technical training, including interactive scenarios and simulations of real-world AV challenges.
• Collaborate with engineers to transform complex technical data, such as sensor outputs and perception algorithms, into accessible and clear learning materials.
• Design and produce training for software and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.
• Ensure all content meets accessibility standards and aligns with our brand and safety guidelines.

Development Testing and R&D Integration

• Design and implement in-vehicle or closed-course pilot testing protocols for new training programs to validate effectiveness in a real-world environment.
• Analyze learning data, telemetry, and driver/operator performance metrics to continuously optimize instructional strategies.
• Conduct learning effectiveness research using quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure training drives desired behavioral outcomes and enhances safety.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies in learning science and AV development to innovate training solutions.

Project Management and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Manage multiple instructional design projects simultaneously, adhering to project timelines and quality standards.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including AV Software & Hardware Engineering, Test Operations, Safety, and Legal departments.
• Present design concepts and learning solutions to senior leadership and technical stakeholders, leading iterative design processes based on feedback and performance data.

Required Qualifications

Experience & Education

• 6+ years of progressive experience as an instructional designer, with a demonstrated focus on highly technical or safety-critical domains.
• Proven track record designing effective learning solutions for engineers, technicians, or field-based audiences.
• Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.

Technical Skills

• Expert-level proficiency with eLearning authoring tools including Articulate Rise, Storyline, and Vyond.
• Experience with video production and screen recording software (Camtasia or similar).
• Strong understanding of web-based learning technologies and SCORM compliance.
• Familiarity with project management and software development tools such as Jira or Confluence.

Nice To Have:

Industry Experience

• Previous experience in the autonomous vehicle, automotive, aerospace, or a similar regulated R&D environment.
• Direct experience with development testing, vehicle validation, or field testing is highly desirable.
• Understanding of safety management systems and functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262).

Advanced Skills

• Experience with generative AI tools for content creation and learning personalization.
• Knowledge of gamification strategies and game design principles for technical learning.
• Experience with advanced branching scenario development for complex decision-making training.
• Familiarity with learning analytics and data visualization tools to inform instructional strategy.

• Professional certifications in instructional design (ATD, ISPI, or similar)
• Experience with emerging technologies including:
  • Generative AI tools for content creation and learning personalization
  • Game design principles and gamification strategies
  • Advanced branching scenario development
  • AI-powered voice synthesis tools (WellSaid Labs or similar)
• Knowledge of learning analytics and data visualization tools

Advanced Skills & Certifications

• Professional certifications in instructional design (ATD, ISPI, or similar)
• Experience with emerging technologies including:
  • Generative AI tools for content creation and learning personalization
  • Game design principles and gamification strategies
  • Advanced branching scenario development
  • AI-powered voice synthesis tools (WellSaid Labs or similar)
• Knowledge of learning analytics and data visualization tools

SweetRush is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. SweetRush will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We encourage applicants of all ages.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Call-To-Action: Submit Your Resume!

Team chemistry is everything to us, so our ultimate goal is to find the right fit. If the above describes your interests and experience, and you believe this will be a dream job, please submit your resume. We are excited to hear from you!