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Instructional Design Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Jobs - FAPT

Teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and material required, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction.

The School District Of Osceola County FL

Teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and material required, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction.

CES Limited

Instructor II

Davenport, IA · On-site

Experience in the training and development field related to instructional design, needs assessment and curriculum development. * Experience working directly with heavy equipment customers and/or the ...

Bazooka Farmstar

Design Engineer

Washington, IA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Design EngineerPosition Overview Role is onsite in Washington, IA. Performs a variety of ... Prepares sketches or complete detail and layout drawings from verbal or written instructions on the ...

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All JobsInstructional Design JobsInstructional Design Jobs in Iowa

Instructional Design information

See Iowa salary details

$41.8K

$76.4K

$126.3K

How much do instructional design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for instructional design in Iowa is $76,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,800.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is instructional design?

Instructional design is the process of creating educational experiences and materials in a systematic and efficient manner to help learners acquire knowledge and skills. Instructional designers analyze learning needs, develop learning objectives, and design courses or training programs using instructional theories and best practices. They may work with subject matter experts, use technology tools, and evaluate the effectiveness of instructional materials to ensure optimal learning outcomes.

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

To thrive as an Instructional Designer, you need expertise in curriculum development, learning theories, and assessment strategies, often supported by a degree in instructional design, education, or a related field. Familiarity with e-learning authoring tools (such as Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate), learning management systems (LMS), and multimedia production is typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and project management skills help you collaborate with subject matter experts and engage diverse learners. These competencies are essential for designing effective, engaging learning experiences that meet organizational and learner needs.

How do instructional designers typically collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) during course development?

Instructional designers frequently work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure course content is accurate, relevant, and engaging. This collaboration often involves conducting interviews, reviewing materials, and participating in iterative feedback cycles. One common challenge is translating complex information from SMEs into clear, accessible learning experiences for diverse audiences. Effective communication and project management skills are essential for building strong partnerships and delivering high-quality educational materials on schedule.

Is instructional design a good career?

Instructional design is a growing field that involves creating educational materials and training programs, often requiring skills in curriculum development, e-learning tools, and instructional strategies. It offers opportunities in various industries such as education, corporate training, and technology, with a typical work environment that includes collaboration and project management. The career can be rewarding for those interested in education, technology, and helping others learn.

What do you do as an instructional designer?

An instructional designer develops educational materials and experiences to facilitate learning. They analyze learner needs, design curriculum, create content using tools like Articulate or Adobe Captivate, and evaluate effectiveness to improve training programs or courses.

What qualifications do I need to be an instructional design?

To become an instructional designer, a bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, or a related field is typically required, with many roles preferring a master's degree. Strong skills in curriculum development, e-learning tools, and learning management systems (LMS) are important, along with experience in graphic design, multimedia, and project management. Certifications such as the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) can enhance job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Instructional Design jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Instructional Design jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Instructional Design jobs in Iowa?

For Instructional Design jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Instructional Design jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Instructional Design jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Instructional Design jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Instructional Design job openings:

Instructional Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Instructional Design job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,396 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Instructional Design Consultant 1

Principal Financial Group

Des Moines, IA • On-site, Remote

$55K - $126K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

What You'll Do
We're seeking an Instructional Design Consultant on the Workplace Savings and Retirement Solutions (WSRS) Learning and Development Solutions team. You'll serve as the training lead on strategic, business and technology initiatives within WSRS. This role partners with project teams, business stakeholders, and learning professionals to assess learning impacts, address knowledge and skill gaps resulting from new products, system enhancements, process changes, and modernization efforts. The consultant designs, develops, implements, and evaluates learning solutions that enable employees to successfully perform in evolving business environments.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead learning and development efforts for strategic business initiatives, serving as the primary training representative on project teams.
  • Analyze business changes, impacted audiences, stakeholder needs, and employee skill requirements using instructional design best practices and the ADDIE methodology.
  • Design, develop, and maintain engaging learning solutions, curriculum, and training materials to support internal employees across a broad range of business functions.
  • Translate complex business and technical concepts into clear, effective learning experiences that drive learner understanding and performance.
  • Create content and learning experiences that support strategic initiatives, employee adoption, and organizational change.
  • Collaborate closely with facilitators and learning teams to support successful implementation and delivery of learning solutions.
  • Partner with numerous stakeholders across customer care, sales, sales support, operations, compliance, document services, investment services, and other business areas to ensure learning solutions align with business objectives. learner needs and organizational priorities.
  • Use learner insights, performance metrics, and business objectives to guide learning recommendations, evaluate effectiveness, and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Contribute to the broader learning and development community by promoting consistency in instructional design standards, competencies, and best practices.
  • Embrace emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to enhance learning design, development, and delivery.

Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years!
Who You Are
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 2+ years of experience in instructional design, learning and development, adult learning, training development, or a related field.
  • 4 + years of Retirement industry, financial services, or related business experience is required.
  • Demonstrated experience applying instructional design methodologies, including ADDIE and adult learning principles is required.
  • Experience partnering with multiple stakeholders across diverse business functions and organizational levels is required.
  • Experience developing e-learning content, preferably using Articulate Rise is required.
  • Strong ability to simplify complex business and technical information into effective learning solutions.
  • Strong project management, communication, consulting, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proven ability to build relationships, influence outcomes, and collaborate across teams.
  • Ability to leverage data and metrics to evaluate effectiveness and drive improvements.

Skills That Will Help You Stand Out
  • Experience supporting large, complex organizations with numerous stakeholder groups and varied business functions.
  • Experience with Articulate Storyline, Camtasia, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Snagit and other learning technologies.
  • Experience utilizing AI tools to enhance content development and learning design.
  • Experience supporting organizational change, employee adoption, and business transformation initiatives.

Salary Range Information
Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Range
$55800 - $126000 / year
Salary Details
The following locations are examples of market-specific salary ranges across different geographies.
Wichita, KS:
  • Instructional Design Consultant 1: $55,800 - $75,600 / year
  • Instructional Design Consultant 2: $69,300 - $94,500 / year

Des Moines, IA:
  • Instructional Design Consultant 1: $58,900 - $79,800 / year
  • Instructional Design Consultant 2: $73,150 - $99,750 / year

Charlotte, NC:
  • Instructional Design Consultant 1: $62,000 - $84,000 / year
  • Instructional Design Consultant 2: $77,000 - $105,000 / year

Chicago, IL / Minneapolis, MN:
  • Instructional Design Consultant 1: $68,200 - $92,400 / year
  • Instructional Design Consultant 2: $84,700 - $115,500 / year

Los Angeles, CA / New York City, NY:
  • Instructional Design Consultant 1: $74,400 - $100,800 / year
  • Instructional Design Consultant 2: $92,400 - $126,000 / year

Time Off Program
Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness. Employees don't accrue a bank of time off under FTO and there is no set number of days provided.
Pension Eligible
Yes
Additional Information
Job Level
We'll consider talent at the next level with the right experiences and skills. The next level is Instructional Design Consultant 2 and would require the following years of experience.
  • 6+ years of financial services, insurance or retirement experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, or education
  • 3+ years of experience in Instructional Systems Design and competency-based Learning.

Work Environments
This role offers in-office, hybrid (blending at least three office days in a typical workweek), and remote work arrangements (only if residing more than 30 miles from Des Moines, IA, or Raleigh, NC or Charlotte, NC). You'll work with your leader to figure out which option may align best based on several factors.
Work Authorization/Sponsorship
At this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.
Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants
Investment Code of Ethics
For Principal Asset Management positions, you'll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.
Experience Principal
At Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we're imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services - and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our employees. And we support our employees the same way we support our customers: with comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings crafted to protect their physical, financial, and social well-being. Check out our careers site to learn more about our purpose, values and benefits.
Principal is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Posting Window
We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.
Date First Posted (TTF)
8/12/2026
Latest Post Date: Careers - US
8/12/2026
LinkedIn Remote Hashtag
#LI-Remote

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