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Principal Instructional Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows' capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders: Feedback and Assessment Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the ...

Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows' capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders: Feedback and Assessment Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the ...

Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows' capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders: Feedback and Assessment Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the ...

Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows' capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders: Feedback and Assessment Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the ...

Each element is designed to build Principal Fellows' capacity towards becoming effective instructional school leaders: Feedback and Assessment Feedback, especially individualized feedback, is the ...

Minimum two years' work experience as an Epic Principal Trainer or Instructional Designer after certification * Multiple certifications preferred * Some project management experience is preferred

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Principal Instructional Designer information

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$44K

$79.7K

$124K

How much do principal instructional designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal instructional designer in the United States is $79,711.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $88,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal instructional designer?

Principal Instructional Designers are senior professionals who lead the design and development of educational programs and training materials within organizations. They oversee the instructional design process, ensuring that learning solutions are effective, engaging, and aligned with organizational goals. Their role often involves collaborating with subject matter experts, managing instructional projects, mentoring junior designers, and staying updated on the latest learning technologies and methodologies. Principal Instructional Designers play a key role in shaping the learning strategy and quality of educational content delivered.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal instructional designer?

To thrive as a Principal Instructional Designer, you need expertise in curriculum development, adult learning theory, project management, and typically a degree in instructional design or a related field. Mastery of e-learning authoring tools (such as Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate), learning management systems (LMS), and sometimes certifications like CPLP or ATD are commonly required. Strategic thinking, leadership, collaboration, and strong communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing effective learning experiences, leading teams, and ensuring training solutions meet organizational goals.

How does a principal instructional designer typically collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) during the course development process?

A Principal Instructional Designer works closely with subject matter experts to ensure course content is both accurate and engaging. This collaboration often involves conducting needs assessments, facilitating content mapping sessions, and reviewing materials to align with learning objectives. The designer guides SMEs through best practices in adult learning and instructional technology, ensuring the final product meets organizational standards and learner needs. Regular meetings and feedback loops are common, fostering a partnership that balances pedagogical rigor with subject expertise.

What is the difference between Principal Instructional Designer vs Instructional Designer?

AspectPrincipal Instructional DesignerInstructional Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Education, Instructional Design, or related field; experience in leadership rolesBachelor's or Master’s in Education, Instructional Design, or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentSenior-level projects, strategic planning, team leadershipDesigning courses, developing content, collaborating with subject matter experts
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, corporate training, e-learning companiesSimilar industries, often working under the guidance of senior staff

The Principal Instructional Designer typically leads complex projects and manages teams, requiring advanced experience and strategic skills. Instructional Designers focus on creating and developing learning materials, often at an entry or mid-level. Both roles are vital in education and corporate training, but differ mainly in scope and responsibility.

Are principal instructional designers still in demand?

Principal instructional designers are in demand as organizations continue to prioritize effective training and e-learning solutions. They often require expertise in instructional design, curriculum development, and familiarity with learning management systems, making experienced professionals valuable in education, corporate training, and technology sectors.
More about Principal Instructional Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Principal Instructional Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Principal Instructional Designer job openings:

What job categories do people searching Principal Instructional Designer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Instructional Designer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Principal Instructional Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 63% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 55% Physical, and 45% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,711 per year, or $38.3 per hour.

Principal / Sr Principal Software Signal Processing Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

$129K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Principal Software Signal Processing Engineer level or a Sr Principal Software Signal Processing Engineer level to join our team supporting our DARC program. This position would be based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This role will work with us on the Deep Space Advanced Capabilities contract developing new radar digital signal processing software in support of identification and tracking of objects in geosynchronous orbit.

Job responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Designs, develops, documents, tests, and debugs applications software, and systems that contain logical and mathematical solutions.

  • Conducts multidisciplinary research and collaborates with equipment designers and/or hardware engineers in the planning, design, development, and utilization of electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software.

  • Determines computer user needs; analyzes system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques, and controls; prepares operating instructions; designs and develops compilers and assemblers, utility programs, and operating systems.

  • Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing radar signal processing algorithms and pipelines (DSP), including use of common engineering toolchains such as DSP System Toolbox / Signal Processing Toolbox / Phased Array System toolsets.

  • Demonstrated experience with GPGPU acceleration (e.g., CUDA) for performance-critical signal processing and/or analytics workloads.

  • Experience using AI-enabled engineering tooling (e.g., an AI coding assistant) to accelerate development tasks such as code explanation, refactoring, and test generation-while maintaining engineer accountability for reviewed code.

This position can be staffed at the Principal or Sr Principal level based on the basic qualifications below.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Principal Level: 5 years with a Bachelors in Science, 3 years with a Masters in Science degree, and 1 years with the PHD

  • Sr Principal: 8 years with a Bachelors in Science, 6 years with a Masters in Science degree, and 3 years with the PHD

  • Active DoD Secret clearance at the time of application

  • Experience with C++, Java, Python and CUDA

  • Experience with Linux

  • Experience with RF Signal Processing

  • Experience with GPU optimization

  • Experience with NVIDIA MatX library

  • Experience with AI Tooling

  • Experience with high side development and processes

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Radar knowledge: Can detail how to process a radar signal to generate a Range Doppler Map, can detail the process of using a sparse array to accomplish beamforming, can detail the concept of loss budgets and system tradeoffs, and has the understanding of application of calibration for a distributed system

  • C++ Knowledge: Knowledge of how to do real time processing and knowledge of current C++ standards and knowledge of latest modern C++ techniques is preferred

  • CUDA Knowledge: Need to understand the benefits and constraints of running signal processing code on GPGPUs and be familiar with cuFFT and/or cuSignal; Matx is preferred, but not expected

  • Functional familiarity with Matlab and python

  • Self starter: Able to take minimal direction and go off on their own, learn the system without much instruction, and approach every story with the next in mind, looking for defects and optimizations along the way

  • Experience withwriting Signal Processing Algorithms and experience implementing signal processing algorithms is insufficient

Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $129,300.00 - $193,900.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939