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Curriculum Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Curriculum Developer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$113K - $169K/yr

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * 3+ years of experience in curriculum development, instructional design, or training program management-ideally in a technical, engineering, or defense-related environment.

This person will also hire, onboard, and oversee two Learning Experience Design contractors to help scale curriculum development across priority programs. The ideal candidate brings a blend of ...

This person will also hire, onboard, and oversee two Learning Experience Design contractors to help scale curriculum development across priority programs. The ideal candidate brings a blend of ...

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Curriculum Development information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$72K

$94.7K

How much do curriculum development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for curriculum development in California is $72,047.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,300.00 and $87,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Curriculum Development position, and why are they important?

Successful professionals in curriculum development possess expertise in educational theory, instructional design, and subject matter content, often supported by degrees in education or related fields. Familiarity with curriculum management software, learning management systems (LMS), and instructional design certifications are common requirements. Exceptional communication, creativity, and project management skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies are vital for designing effective, engaging educational programs that meet diverse learner needs and institutional goals.

What does a curriculum developer do?

A curriculum developer designs, organizes, and evaluates educational programs and materials to meet learning objectives. They collaborate with educators to create content, incorporate instructional strategies, and often use tools like learning management systems to deliver and assess courses.

How do you get into curriculum development?

To pursue a career in curriculum development, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, or a related field, along with experience in teaching or training. Developing skills in instructional design tools, understanding learning theories, and obtaining certifications such as the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) can enhance job prospects.

What is a Curriculum Development job?

A Curriculum Development job involves designing, organizing, and refining educational programs, courses, or training materials. Professionals in this role assess learning needs, create instructional content, and ensure alignment with educational standards or organizational objectives. They work with educators, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to develop effective and engaging learning experiences. This job may include researching best practices, integrating technology, and evaluating curriculum effectiveness. Curriculum developers are essential in both academic and corporate settings to enhance learning outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced in Curriculum Development roles?

One of the most common challenges in curriculum development is balancing educational standards with the unique needs of diverse learners. Professionals often need to update materials to align with evolving technologies, teaching methods, and regulatory requirements. Collaboration with teachers, administrators, and subject matter experts is essential, requiring strong communication and adaptability. By embracing these challenges, curriculum developers ensure that learning materials remain relevant, engaging, and effective in supporting student success.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

In curriculum development, high-paying roles such as freelance consultants or online course creators can earn around $4,000 weekly without a formal degree, especially with specialized expertise and a strong portfolio. Other high-earning opportunities may include corporate training specialists or instructional designers working independently, often requiring relevant experience and skills in educational technology or content creation.

What is the highest paid job in childcare?

The highest paid jobs in childcare typically include executive roles such as childcare center directors or owners, who oversee operations and staff. These positions often require advanced education, certifications, and extensive experience, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the size and location of the facility.
What are the most commonly searched types of Curriculum Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Curriculum Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Curriculum Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Curriculum Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Curriculum Development job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,047 per year, or $34.6 per hour.
Curriculum Developer Program Manager

Curriculum Developer Program Manager

Apogee Engineering, LLC

Lompoc, CA

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Apogee is seeking a highly skilled Lead Curriculum Developer / Program Manager (Senior Instructional Systems Designer) to support STARCOM’s 533d Training Squadron (533 TRS) at Vandenberg SFB, CA. This role leads the design, development, and sustainment of USSF-owned cyber operations training and assessment content aligned to STARCOM curriculum processes and USCYBERCOM/DoD cyber workforce standards (Cyber 2.0).

The Lead will manage day-to-day execution, coordinate closely with Government SMEs, and ensure high-quality delivery of practitioner-level curriculum packages, cyber range scenarios/labs, and performance-based assessments that accelerate operational mission readiness for Cyberspace Operations Forces.

****Contingent Upon Contract Award**** 


Curriculum & Instructional Systems Design Leadership
  • Lead the analysis, design, development, and sustainment of highly technical cyber curriculum supporting STARCOM cyber pipelines (including enlisted/officer progression where applicable).
  • Produce and/or oversee delivery of full course packages, including:
    • Course outlines, learning objectives, and training plans
    • Plan of Instruction (POI) and supporting USSF training formats (e.g., TLAW or approved equivalents as directed)
    • Detailed lesson plans, student guides, instructor guides, and presentation materials
  • Ensure incorporation of adult learning methodologies and realistic performance tasks (e.g., scenario-driven exercises consistent with course outcomes).
Threat-Informed Content + Cyber 2.0 Alignment
  • Integrate current adversary TTPs and threat-informed design into modules (e.g., mapping appropriate content to MITRE ATT&CK where directed/approved).
  • Align curriculum and assessments to USCYBERCOM work role standards and applicable DoD cyber workforce frameworks; ensure traceability from objectives → instruction → labs → assessments.
  • Develop and maintain a STARCOM Alignment Matrix mapping modular training to existing/planned STARCOM pipelines to ensure progression without redundancy.
Scenario, Lab, and Range Development Oversight
  • Direct development of complex, multi-stage hands-on labs and cyber range scenarios that emulate realistic network environments and adversary behavior.
  • Produce range guides/runbooks enabling setup, execution, and teardown with minimal troubleshooting and clear expected results.
Assessment Design & Validation
  • Design and validate a multi-phased assessment approach, including:
    • Knowledge checks for curriculum comprehension
    • Performance-based assessments for proficiency and (as applicable) work role selection
  • Develop scoring rubrics to support objective grading and consistency across evaluators; ensure validation artifacts are prepared prior to operational use.
Program Management & Government Coordination
  • Serve as the primary contractor POC coordinating with COR/CO and Government stakeholders.
  • Lead planning for key events and deliverables, including:
    • Kickoff briefings
    • Semiannual Program Management Reviews (PMRs)
    • Monthly Status Reports (MSRs), action item tracking, and delivery schedules
  • Coordinate with adjacent teams/efforts to integrate curriculum and scenarios into broader training constructs (including capstone-style integration where applicable).
Course Resource Estimation / Requirements Documentation
  • Develop and maintain course resource estimates and recommend training equipment/software/courseware needs consistent with Government direction and approval processes.
  • Document required tools, lab resources, and constraints to support sustainable execution.

Minimum Experience:

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen 
Clearance:Must have and be able to maintain a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
Certifications: CISSP (or equivalent IAM Level III) AND GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Education: Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design, Education, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience) 
Years of Experience: 8+ years of cyber operations experience
Additional Experience:

  • 3 years formal technical instruction and/or curriculum development experience
  • 2 years project/team lead experience delivering complex technical products on schedule
    Demonstrated experience with cyber range concepts, adversary emulation, and assessment design
    Strong writing/editing skills for producing deliverables suitable for Government review/approval

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional Experience:

  • Experience mapping content to USCYBERCOM Work Role Standards and/or NICE framework
  • Experience integrating threat intelligence into training (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK mapping)
  • Experience building performance-based assessments with defensible scoring rubrics
  • Familiarity with PCTE or similar DoD cyber training/range environments
  • Experience working in cleared environments with SIPR/JWICS workflows

Additional Information
Location:  Vandenberg SFB, CA
On-site This is a fulltime onsite position
Travel: 10% CONUS