ABOUT PER SCHOLAS:

For 30 years, Per Scholas has been on a mission to drive mobility and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting communities, and meeting the needs of employers through rigorous tech training. By teaming up with dynamic employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we're forging inclusive tech talent pipelines, fulfilling an ever-increasing need for skilled talent. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and counting, Per Scholas offers no-cost training programs in the most sought-after tech skills, spanning Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more. To date, 30,000+ individuals have been trained through Per Scholas, propelling their professional trajectories into high-growth tech careers with salaries three times higher than their pre-training earnings. Learn more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

PerScholas hires within the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, WA

POSITION TITLE: Director, Product SME Advanced Manufacturing

Location: Remote (with travel to advanced manufacturing sites as needed, approximately 15-20%)

Reports To: Senior Director, Strategy & Product Design

Employment type: Fulltime

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are seeking an experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME) & Curriculum Developer with hands-on advanced manufacturing experience to design and develop scalable training solutions and instructor resources for skilled trades roles in the manufacturing sector.

This role blends:

Technical expertise in maintenance operations
Content development skills
Digital innovation

You will support the creation of comprehensive hybrid learning models for roles such as:

Maintenance Technicians
Maintenance Trainees
Industrial Electromechanics

This is a highly collaborative position requiring direct engagement with plant leaders, technical subject matter experts (SMEs), community college partners, and external training organizations to create repeatable, data-informed, competency-based, and industry-aligned training programs and instructor resources for our national advanced manufacturing partners.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Discovery & Industry Analysis (20%)

Field Research & Needs Assessment:

Conduct comprehensive field research and site visits to advanced manufacturing plants to analyze training needs and industry requirements
Shadow existing maintenance training programs (outside of Per Scholas) to identify competency gaps, training strengths, and scalability opportunities
Benchmark industry best practices across multiple manufacturing sectors and geographic regions
Analyze job market trends and emerging technologies affecting maintenance roles

Competency Mapping & Standards Development:

Map detailed technical competencies for skilled trades roles based on extensive industry analysis and employer input
Translate technical competencies into structured, teachable learning modules
Develop industry-aligned competency standards and/or certification requirements
Create career pathway documentation and advancement frameworks
Design competency frameworks that support multi-level career progression, including a structured path from entry-level trainee roles to certified Maintenance Technicians.
Create detailed course outlines, learning objectives, and competency maps aligned with industry standards and employer requirements

Technology & Equipment Specification:

Research and specify training equipment, tools, and technologies necessary for comprehensive program delivery
Develop laboratory design specifications, equipment procurement guides, and setup documentation, if necessary
Evaluate emerging educational technologies and recommend integration strategies
Create technology implementation guides and instructor training materials
Research and specify training equipment including conveyor systems, servo motors, packaging automation, pneumatic controls, and sanitation-friendly components used in food production environments or similar industries.

Content Design & Development (50%)

Comprehensive Curriculum Architecture:

Design modular, competency-based curriculum frameworks that can be delivered by qualified instructors across multiple locations
Develop progressive skill-building sequences from foundational concepts to advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving
Design flexible curriculum architecture supporting various delivery formats (hands-on, virtual, hybrid)

Learning Materials Creation:

Develop comprehensive instructor manuals with detailed lesson plans, teaching notes, and facilitation guides
Develop multimedia learning aids including videos, animations, simulations, and interactive demonstrations
Create learner workbooks, handouts, and reference materials that are self-contained and instructor-independent
Design hands-on laboratory exercises, projects, and practical assessments with complete setup instructions
Build digital learning modules compatible with industry-standard LMS platforms (SCORM/xAPI, Canvas, Blackboard)

Assessment & Credentialing Framework Development:

Create comprehensive assessment strategies including practical demonstrations, written examinations, and portfolio-based evaluations
Develop detailed rubrics and evaluation criteria for consistent assessment delivery across instructors and locations
Design competency verification processes and industry-recognized credentialing pathways
Establish quality assurance frameworks for maintaining assessment standard

Instructor Training & Support Materials (10%)

Train-the-Trainer Resource Development:

Design comprehensive instructor training resources covering technical content, teaching methodologies, and assessment procedures
Develop instructor onboarding materials for knowledge transfer
Build instructor resource libraries including technical references, troubleshooting guides, and industry updates

Stakeholder Collaboration & Program Support (20%)

Partnership Facilitation:

Act as technical liaison between manufacturing SMEs, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations
Facilitate curriculum review sessions with industry experts and employer representatives
Coordinate with community colleges and technical schools to ensure curriculum alignment and transferability
Support partnership development with equipment manufacturers and technology vendors

Implementation Support & Scaling:

Provide technical guidance for program implementation across multiple sites and institutions
Develop standardized classroom delivery processes and instructional quality guidelines tailored to hands-on technical training in advanced manufacturing
Create business cases and ROI analyses to support program expansion and sustainability

Communication & Documentation:

Create comprehensive program documentation including implementation guides, instructor manuals, and learner materials
Help develop marketing materials and program descriptions for recruitment and stakeholder engagement
Prepare detailed reports on program development progress, industry alignment, and outcome projections
Maintain version control and continuous improvement processes for all training materials

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO US:

Required Qualifications

Manufacturing & Technical Expertise:

3-5 years of hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing environments with direct maintenance operations experience
Minimum 1 year of demonstrable work experience as a Maintenance Technician, Electromechanic, or equivalent industrial maintenance role
Proven expertise with manufacturing systems including PLCs, SCADA systems, predictive maintenance technologies, and automated production equipment
Deep understanding of regulatory requirements including OSHA safety standards, EPA environmental regulations, and industry-specific compliance

Curriculum Design & Development Experience:

Minimum 1 year of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, or technical training program facilitation
Demonstrated success in developing or providing training with competency-based education materials and assessment frameworks
Demonstrable experience in translating employer feedback into immersive and engaging educational/training content
Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into teachable, structured learning experiences
Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and e-learning authoring tools
Familiarity with multimedia content creation tools and instructional technology integration
Experience with virtual laboratory environments and simulation-based learning platforms

Project Management & Communication:

Exceptional project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent analysis, design, and development projects/tasks
Outstanding written communication skills with experience creating detailed technical documentation and instructor materials
Strong facilitation and presentation skills for stakeholder engagement and instructor training
Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams including technical experts, educators, and industry partners

Preferred Qualifications

Experience developing training programs for community colleges, technical schools, or workforce development organizations
Professional certifications in maintenance-related disciplines (electrical, mechanical, reliability, safety)
Knowledge of scaling training programs across multiple locations or enterprises.
Hands-on experience with virtual labs, augmented reality (AR), or interactive simulations for technical learning.
Experience with SCORM/xAPI content development and learning analytics platforms
Familiarity with competency-based education and credentialing frameworks.
Experience with working in supply chain industries.
Knowledge of equipment common to food processing (e.g., conveyor systems, automated packaging lines) is a plus.
Experience in food manufacturing or similar regulated industries (e.g., CPG, pharma) preferred, including familiarity with GMP, HACCP, FDA/USDA compliance, and sanitation procedures.
Experience developing training for equipment common in food manufacturing, including automated fillers, case packers, palletizers, CIP systems, and hygienic conveyors.

Personal Characteristics

You thrive in a creative, inventive, fast-paced startup environment with people who are passionate about their work and mission.
You are quality-driven, results-oriented, and a forward-looking catalyst for social change.
You have a collaborative and flexible work style. You're excited to work cross-functionally with other departments and independently.
You are an effective communicator with strong oral and written skills.
You are tech-savvy and learn new tools quickly.
You exhibit exceptional attentiveness to detail and time management.
You stand behind our mission, believing that individuals from any community should have access to well-paying career positions and that talent should be recognized and recruited from many diverse sources.

For this role specifically, we are targeting a salary of $80,000/year, with a range between $75,000/year and $85,000/year, where the difference in salary is typically determined by several factors, including geography in which the selected candidate resides, and alignment with qualifications and experience.

#LI-remote

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about this role, please feel free to email our Talent team at jobs@perscholas.org. We look forward to viewing your application!

Equal Employment Opportunity

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

PII Policies

Non-Discrimination Policy

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