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Course Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Campos EPC

Designer III

San Diego, CA · On-site

$50 - $64/hr

Designers are responsible for design and drafting of industrial and utility electrical design ... Associate degree or completion of related technical trade school courses, or equivalent experience ...

Foundation Robotics

Chief Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Chief Designer will own the design vision for these robots, ensuring they are human-centric and ... Learn Robotics is an upcoming webapp for lecturers and instructors of robotics courses at the ...

Esri

Sr. Instructional Designer

Redlands, CA · On-site

$65K - $88K/yr

Design engaging courses grounded in adult learning principles and instructional design best ... Experience designing instructor-led and web-based learning for technical/software audiences

Anduril Industries

Instructional Designer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$69K - $94K/yr

You will collaborate with instructional designers, trainers, subject matter experts (SMEs), and ... Design and develop curriculum frameworks, course outlines, evaluation, and instructional materials ...

Anduril Industries

Instructional Designer

Costa Mesa, CA

$69K - $94K/yr

You will collaborate with instructional designers, trainers, subject matter experts (SMEs), and ... Design and develop curriculum frameworks, course outlines, evaluation, and instructional materials ...

Sidecar

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA

We're seeking an experienced product designer to join our efforts in pushing the bounds of how ... Regular events, happy hours and lunch; * (and of course,) Sidecar credits galore. Employment Type ...

Carvana

Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Of course, we'll make any reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to perform the ... Please note this is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or ...

Carvana

Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Of course, we'll make any reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to perform the ... Please note this is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or ...

Carvana

Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Of course, we'll make any reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to perform the ... Please note this is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCourse Designer JobsCourse Designer Jobs in California

Course Designer information

See California salary details

$23

$56

$101

How much do course designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for course designer in California is $56.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.54 and $90.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a course designer?

Course designers are professionals who create educational programs and learning materials for schools, universities, businesses, or online platforms. They work closely with subject matter experts to develop engaging content, structure lessons, and ensure that courses meet learning objectives and standards. Course designers also incorporate multimedia, assessments, and interactive elements to enhance the learning experience. Their goal is to make educational content accessible, effective, and enjoyable for diverse learners.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a course designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Course Designer, you need expertise in instructional design principles, curriculum development, and a background in education or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), authoring tools like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate, and sometimes certifications such as ATD or IDOL are typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and project management skills help you collaborate effectively and create engaging learning experiences. These skills ensure that courses are pedagogically sound, technologically robust, and tailored to learner needs, resulting in effective education outcomes.

How do course designers typically collaborate with subject matter experts during the development of new courses?

Course Designers work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure course content is accurate, engaging, and aligned with learning objectives. This collaboration often involves conducting interviews, reviewing existing materials, and co-developing instructional strategies. Course Designers translate SME knowledge into clear, learner-friendly modules and frequently facilitate feedback loops to refine course components. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for balancing input from SMEs while maintaining instructional quality and timelines.

What is the difference between Course Designer vs Instructional Designer?

AspectCourse DesignerInstructional Designer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in education, instructional design, or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with certifications in instructional design or e-learning
Work EnvironmentDesigns courses for online, in-person, or blended learning environmentsDevelops instructional materials and strategies across various educational settings
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, corporate training, e-learning companiesEducational institutions, corporate training, government agencies
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for designing specific courses or curriculaCompared for broader instructional strategies and learning solutions

While both roles involve designing educational content, a Course Designer primarily focuses on creating specific courses or curricula, often with a focus on content structure. An Instructional Designer takes a broader approach, developing comprehensive instructional strategies and materials to enhance learning outcomes across multiple courses or programs.

What does a course designer do?

A course designer develops educational programs and instructional materials for online or in-person learning environments. They analyze learning objectives, create curriculum content, and use tools like learning management systems to ensure effective delivery. Strong skills in instructional design, curriculum development, and technology are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Course Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Course Designer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Course Designer jobs in California?

For Course Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Course Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Course Designer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Course Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Course Designer job openings:

Course Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Course Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,421 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Instructional Designer ( onsite)

MKS2 Technologies

Monterey, CA

$120K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

MKS2 Technologies, LLC, an award-winning high growth small business, creates innovative and customer-centric technology solutions in the areas of Cyber Security, Instructional Design and Training, Software Engineering and IT Support Services to improve the security and well-being of our clients. Our commitment to excellence and our "Mission First" orientation has resulted in steady growth and an expanding client base across government agencies. We have employees nationwide and for the past three consecutive years were named one of the fastest growing Veteran-owned companies in the nation. Please take a moment to browse through our website and learn more about what it means to serve with MKS2.

Instructional Designer (2 Openings)

Contract: IDIQ Naval Postgraduate School Research and Educational Support Service (RES) IDIQ
Task Order: NPS Extended Campus Support Services
Location: Monterey, CA (Onsite at NPS)
Clearance: Public Trust

Salary: $120,000-$130,000

Position Overview

We are seeking two experienced Instructional Designers to support the Naval Postgraduate School's Extended Campus programs. These positions play a key role in designing, developing, and evaluating high‑quality instructional materials for graduate‑level academic courses and distance‑learning environments. The ideal candidates bring strong expertise in instructional design, learning technologies, and higher‑education pedagogy, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty across diverse disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and revise instructional materials for in‑person, hybrid, and distance‑learning courses.
  • Apply instructional design methodologies, adult learning principles, and evidence‑based practices to support academic program goals.
  • Collaborate with faculty to translate subject‑matter expertise into engaging, effective learning experiences.
  • Conduct quality assurance reviews and assess instructional effectiveness.
  • Integrate instructional technologies, multimedia, and digital learning tools to enhance course delivery.
  • Support faculty in adopting best practices for online and remote teaching.
  • Ensure all instructional materials meet accessibility, usability, and academic standards.

Required Qualifications

  • 5 years of experience in instructional design, instructional technology, quality assurance, and effectiveness assessment in higher education.
  • MA/MS degree in education, instructional design, instructional technology, or a related professional discipline.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience partnering with faculty to design and deliver academic content for remote or distance‑learning environments.
  • Strong understanding of adult learning theories, particularly as applied to STEM disciplines in higher education.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with faculty of varying teaching experience levels.
  • Strong communication, organization, and project‑management skills.

Additional Information

  • These positions require onsite work at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: MKS2 Technologies is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.