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Senior Instructional Designer Jobs in Reston, VA

Sr. Instructional Designer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$72K - $109K/yr

Overview Apply your experience in instructional design to help create effective training materials for Esri customers. You will be part of the innovative team responsible for designing, developing ...

Instructional Designer IV

Quantico, VA · On-site

$70K - $94K/yr

The Senior Instructional Designer supporting MISTC Curriculum Development & Management Services leads the design, development, and sustainment of formal Programs of Instruction (POIs) across the ...

The Instructional Designer, Senior partners with the Customer Education managers and business subject matter experts to craft, develop, implement and maintain instructional materials and content for ...

The Instructional Designer, Senior partners with the Customer Education managers and business subject matter experts to craft, develop, implement and maintain instructional materials and content for ...

Instructional Designer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Instructional Designer C² Technologies seeks an Instructional Designer to collaborate with stakeholders to identify performance gaps and create appropriate training solutions in various formats. The ...

Instructional Designer C² Technologies seeks an Instructional Designer to collaborate with stakeholders to identify performance gaps and create appropriate training solutions in various formats. The ...

Armison Tech - Instructional Designer Location: Chantilly, VA (on‑site client environment) Clearance: TS/SCI with polygraph Compensation: Competitive with excellent benefits Only applicants with ...

Instructional Designer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Instructional Designer Department: Training & Enablement Employment Type: Full Time Location: Bethesda Compensation: $80,000 - $95,000 / year Description As an Instructional Designer, you will lead ...

Instructional Designer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$67K - $78K/yr

Instructional Designer Department: Training & Enablement Employment Type: Full Time Location: Bethesda Compensation: $67,000 - $78,000 / year Description As Instructional Designer, you will create ...

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Senior Instructional Designer information

See Reston, VA salary details

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How much do senior instructional designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior instructional designer in Reston, VA is $47.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.53 and $53.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior instructional designer do?

A Senior Instructional Designer is responsible for creating and overseeing the development of educational materials and learning experiences, often for corporate training or higher education. They analyze learning needs, design curriculum, develop instructional materials, and may lead a team of designers. Senior Instructional Designers also evaluate program effectiveness and incorporate new technologies and best practices to optimize learning outcomes. Their work bridges the gap between subject matter experts and learners to ensure content is engaging, accessible, and effective.

What does a senior instructional designer do?

A senior instructional designer works with a team to design curricula and training materials for educational or professional programs. As a senior instructional designer, your job duties are to develop a teaching and learning framework, delegate specific instructional design tasks to your team, and incorporate each person’s contributions to create a complete instructional program. The qualifications for a career as a senior instructional designer include a bachelor’s degree in teaching, curriculum development, or a related field and experience as a junior instructional designer. You need a background in pedagogy and proven teaching skills to design effective instructional programs.

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

To excel as a Senior Instructional Designer, you need deep expertise in curriculum development, learning theory, and instructional design, often supported by a relevant degree and several years of experience. Familiarity with e-learning authoring tools (like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate), learning management systems (LMS), and sometimes project management certifications are typically required. Strong communication, collaboration, and creativity are vital soft skills that help in designing engaging learning experiences and working with cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure effective, scalable learning solutions that meet organizational goals and enhance learner outcomes.

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

A Senior Instructional Designer works closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to translate complex content into engaging and effective learning experiences. This often involves facilitating design meetings, gathering input on learning objectives, and reviewing materials to ensure accuracy and relevance. The designer guides SMEs through best practices in instructional design and uses feedback to iterate on course materials. Effective communication and project management skills are essential to balance SME expertise with instructional strategies and project timelines.

How much do senior instructional designers make in the US?

Senior instructional designers in the US typically earn between $70,000 and $110,000 annually, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and industry. They often require expertise in e-learning tools, curriculum development, and instructional design methodologies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Instructional Designer jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Instructional Designer jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Instructional Designer jobs in Reston, VA?

For Senior Instructional Designer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Senior Instructional Designer jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Instructional Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Instructional Designer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, 56% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 52% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 47% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,661 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Sr. Instructional Designer

Esri

Vienna, VA • On-site

$72K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Esri rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Overview
Apply your experience in instructional design to help create effective training materials for Esri customers. You will be part of the innovative team responsible for designing, developing, and updating training courses that teach GIS concepts, skills, and workflows.
Responsibilities
  • Analyze learner needs and job tasks to define clear, measurable learning objectives
  • Partner with subject matter experts to design and evaluate instructor-led and web-based learning
  • Design engaging courses grounded in adult learning principles and instructional design best practices
  • Develop and refine assessments; provide actionable feedback and recommendations
  • Evaluate and enhance existing Esri curriculum to maintain design quality and consistency
  • Collaborate with peers to improve content development workflows and learning solutions
  • Support broader customer education initiatives and share instructional design best practices

Requirements
  • 5+ years in instructional design, learning experience design or corporate training development (SaaS or product environment preferred)
  • Strong written and verbal communication; able to partner effectively across roles
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality learning solutions in a collaborative environment
  • Strong foundation in adult learning and instructional design methods (such as ADDIE, Bloom's Taxonomy)
  • Demonstrated end-to-end instructional design skills (analysis, scope/specs, objectives, assessments, and curriculum development)
  • Experience designing instructor-led and web-based learning for technical/software audiences
  • Ability to use generative AI responsibly to support research, prototyping, and content development
  • Visa Sponsorship is not available for this posting. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US
  • Bachelor's degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field

Recommended Qualifications
  • Master's degree in instructional design, educational technology, or a related field
  • Familiarity with GIS and Esri technology, or ability to learn quickly and translate complex products into learning
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and design/prototyping tools (such as Adobe, Figma, MindManager)
  • Experience supporting instructional visuals (such as diagrams, graphics, videos)
  • Background documenting workflows, processes, or systems for scalable learning

Portfolio Submission: Please include a link to your portfolio or samples of recent work.
#LI-KH4
#LI-Onsite
Total Rewards
Esri's competitive total rewards strategy includes industry-leading health and welfare benefits: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance for employees (and their families), 401(k) and profit-sharing programs, minimum accrual of 80 hours of vacation leave, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Base salary is one component of our total rewards strategy. Compensation decisions and the base range for this role take into account many factors including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
A reasonable estimate of the base salary range is
$72,800-$109,200 USD
The Company
At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life's best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology. For more information on Esri's Racial Equity and Social Justice initiatives, please visit our website here.
If you don't meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!
Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email askcareers@esri.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Esri Privacy Esri takes our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously. We are committed to respecting your privacy by providing transparency in how we acquire and use your information, giving you control of your information and preferences, and holding ourselves to the highest national and international standards, including CCPA and GDPR compliance.

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About ESRI

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our passion for improving quality of life through geography is at the heart of everything we do. Esri's geographic information system (GIS) technology inspires and enables governments, universities, and businesses worldwide to save money, lives, and our environment through a deeper understanding of the changing world around them.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Redlands, CA, US

Year founded

1969