How to hire a senior instructional systems designer

How to hire a senior instructional systems designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior instructional systems designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior instructional systems designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior instructional systems designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your senior instructional systems designer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a senior instructional systems designer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect senior instructional systems designer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of senior instructional systems designers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Senior Instructional Systems Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Instructional Systems Designer	Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.	$25-48
   Designer	A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences... Show more	$21-46
   Curriculum Designer	A curriculum designer creates and implements educational programs in schools, colleges, and other organizations that offer training and educational services. They usually work with teachers and academic administrators in establishing guidelines, academic roadmaps, and policies... Show more	$18-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Subject Matter Experts
   • Instructional Design
   • SMEs
   • ISD
   • Learning Objectives
   • Instructional Systems
   • Course Content
   • PowerPoint
   • Addie Model
   • Adult Learning Theory
   • Blended Learning
   • Captivate
   • Training Content
   • Curriculum Development

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead, facilitate, and report on the progress of the ISD process for the training academy.
   • Manage the company SharePoint and information distribution program.
   • Contribute to the proposal efforts for multiple DoD training development projects.
   • Praise by DoD for delivery of just-in-time training for iraq-deploy warfighters.
   • Work closely with CMS provide SMEs on front-end and training needs analyses for content development.
   • Coordinate and facilitate meetings between SMEs, clients and development group to make key project decisions.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior instructional systems designer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A senior instructional systems designer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, senior instructional systems designers' average salary in west virginia is 53% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior instructional systems designers 47% less than senior-level senior instructional systems designers.
   • Certifications. A senior instructional systems designer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a senior instructional systems designer's salary.

   Average senior instructional systems designer salary

   $73,730yearly

   $35.45 hourly rate

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   Entry-level senior instructional systems designer salary

   $53,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a senior instructional systems designer job description

   A senior instructional systems designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a senior instructional systems designer job description:

   Senior instructional systems designer job description example

   Jacobs is currently seeking an additional Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) in Hanover, MD, to join a multidisciplinary Team working collaboratively to design and develop highly sophisticated and technical training solutions.The ISD position requires fully cleared individuals with an extensive range of experience that includes the development of complex technical training using interactive synchronous and asynchronous eLearning, instructor-led courses, and blended learning solutions.ISDs work with multidisciplinary team members to rapidly and effectively design and develop custom training solutions to meet the time-critical needs of our customers.
   
   ISD candidates have knowledge of the latest evidence-based training methods for complex learning (e.g., adaptive expertise, inductive teaching and learning models), as well as innovative approaches to performance support. ISD candidates must have knowledge of and experience applying the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) Instructional Systems Design model; this includes experience conducting thorough data gathering, analysis, and development of measurable learning objectives mapped to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) and/or Job Qualification Standards (JQS).
   
   ISDs direct the training design and work closely with content developers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to clarify complex concepts, ensure accuracy of content, and develop instructionally sound training solutions that best meet the learning needs of the target audience. ISDs also works closely with graphic artists and multi-media developers in designing and developing templates, graphics, animations, videos, and other training solutions.
   
   ISDs are responsible for producing deliverables that include but are not limited to: Project Schedules, Needs Assessment Reports, Design Plan Documents, Course Outlines, Storyboards, Instructor Guides, Student Guides, Video Scripts, Style Guides, and supporting Resources and Job Aids.
   
   ISDs use a variety of technologies, techniques, and tools that include but are not limited to: XML, HTML, Confluence, Microsoft Office, Audacity, Camtasia Studio 8, Adobe Captivate, and custom solutions to support the creation of learning solutions. Senior ISDs are familiar with a variety of learning management system (LMS) applications that are used both in government and commercial spaces.ISD candidates must have strong written and oral communication skills.
   Qualifications:
   
   TS/SCI with POLY
   
   ISD Candidate must be able to successfully demonstrate the following capabilities:
   Extensive knowledge of adult learning methods including demonstrated experience applying the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model and a variety of technologies, techniques, and tools for training development. Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) Experience with Captivate or similar training development tools Experience applying various methods to conduct analyses of training requirements Designs, develops, and revises complex interactive eLearning, and/or instructor-led courseware of a technical nature for customer training Demonstrates proficiency in identifying the appropriate training delivery method for the subject matter, audience, available resources, schedule, and other customer-driven requirements Develops flow diagrams, storyboards, and other materials to assist in designing instructionally sound, complex learning solutions using a variety of delivery methods Works closely with SMEs to gather content, create realistic scenarios and activities, and ensure technical accuracy of instructional content Tests and provides Quality Assurance methodologies for learning objects Develops and edits supporting documentation for the overall design, delivery, and ongoing maintenance of learning solutions Observes and participates in existing courses and provides recommendations for course improvements; actively engages with instructors and course support team members to design, develop, and implement course improvements
   In addition to the capabilities noted above, candidates must also provide the following: provides task leadership, manages workflows, oversees junior designers; and develops realistic time estimates and schedules for designing and delivering learning objects and course materials
   A qualified candidate must possess excellent communication, including speaking and writing, skills A qualified candidate must be able to effectively collaborate with other members of the team and prioritize tasks under strict deadlines Must be well-organized with the ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously. Must work well under pressure to meet deadline requirements Attendance is always critical. Must be able to work a 40-hour workweek, normally Monday through Friday. However, times and days may vary depending on business requirements. Needs to be available to work overtime during critical peaks and be available to meet last minute requests for overtime should the situation occur Minimum eight (8) years of documented, relevant work experience in Instructional Systems Design with a directly related Master's Degree or, Minimum ten (10) years of documented, relevant work experience in Instructional Systems Design with a directly related applicable Bachelor's Degree
   #cjcyber

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find senior instructional systems designers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior instructional systems designer job on Zippia to find and recruit senior instructional systems designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting senior instructional systems designers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior instructional systems designer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the senior instructional systems designer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new senior instructional systems designer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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