Instructional Systems Design Engineer, Expert

About the Company

Ibility was established in 2021 and operates as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and Woman-Owned Small Business based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The company is a growing organization that supports government leaders by creating practical products and programs designed to improve customer experience, increase employee efficiency, build trust, and raise overall satisfaction. Its work is grounded in human-centered design, with a strong focus on the end user and long-term solution success. The team describes itself as energetic, creative, bold, and mission-driven.

Role Overview

The Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Engineer serves as a senior subject matter expert in instructional design, curriculum development, and training delivery within a complex government contracting setting. This position leads structured assessment and development of training solutions for formal delivery, manages instructional design staff, and makes sure learning products support organizational goals, learning science principles, and government program objectives. The role also advises on high-visibility ISD initiatives, strengthens curriculum quality standards, and supports continuous improvement based on stakeholder input.

This opportunity is contingent on award, expected around July/August 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on complex ISD studies and projects while offering advanced expertise, direction, and mentoring to instructional design teams.
• Carry out end-to-end instructional systems design work for evaluating and creating formal training solutions.
• Lead a team of Instructional Designers in building effective curriculum and training assets while fostering a positive team environment aligned with business goals.
• Apply curriculum and training design practices so both new and existing materials deliver the intended learner experience and measurable outcomes.
• Strengthen and maintain standards for curriculum and training quality based on established design methods and learning development practices.
• Help field staff gather ongoing stakeholder feedback to support continuous enhancement of curriculum and training and keep work aligned with changing best practices and program needs.
• Choose suitable instructional strategies, delivery formats such as ILT, eLearning, virtual learning, and blended learning, as well as the right assessment approaches.
• Create and review training needs analyses, gap analyses, evaluation plans, and curriculum maps at the project level.
• Act as a quality reviewer for ISD outputs, ensuring they meet contract expectations, Section 508 accessibility standards, and adult learning principles.
• Explain advanced instructional design concepts clearly to diverse groups, including leadership, clients, and technical teams.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in Instructional Systems Design, Instructional Technology, Adult Education, Educational Technology, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in instructional systems design, curriculum development, or training program leadership.
• Proven experience leading or supervising instructional design teams in government or similarly complex environments.
• Advanced command of ISD frameworks such as ADDIE, SAM, and Agile ISD, along with adult learning theory.
• Experience creating and delivering training across multiple modes, including instructor-led, eLearning, virtual instructor-led, and blended formats.
• Hands-on experience with eLearning development tools and learning management systems.
• Background in training development for complex health IT platforms and enterprise software in federal or healthcare settings.
• Working knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements as they apply to training content.
• Strong project coordination skills with the ability to handle multiple concurrent deliverables under tight deadlines.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation abilities, including experience presenting to executive audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the Veterans Health Administration or a comparable federal health organization such as CDC, CMS, DHA, or HHS.
• Active security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
• Certified Performance Technologist credential from ISPI, or an equivalent certification.
• SAFe certification or prior experience delivering training in an Agile/SAFe environment.
• Familiarity with VA training requirements, VHA employee development policy, and the VA Talent Management System (TMS).
• Understanding of the Kirkpatrick Model or similar methods for evaluating training effectiveness.
• Experience training healthcare professionals, clinical informaticists, or health IT users.
• Knowledge of SCORM and xAPI standards for eLearning packaging and LMS deployment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Health Savings Account access.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• 11 federal holidays off.
• 401(k) plan.

Equal Opportunity and Hiring Notice

The employer states a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and provides equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

The hiring process may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with tasks such as application review, resume analysis, or response evaluation. These tools support the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by people.