Instructional Systems Designer

We are seeking a high-performing, highly motivated Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) to support a critical federal client program. In this role, your primary responsibilities will be to analyze, design, develop, and maintain instructional content for web-based and instructor-led courses, while simultaneously nurturing and sustaining strategic client partnerships. The ideal candidate is deeply passionate about instructional design, industrial security training, and driving innovative learning solutions. You will closely support the client’s Training Division to meet a continuously changing security environment, utilizing your technical expertise to seamlessly apply the ADDIE model across a variety of instructional products.

About Team Carney

Who We Are At Carney, we believe that great organizations are built on a foundation of continuous learning and exceptional performance.

For decades, Team Carney has partnered with federal agencies and defense sectors to deliver cutting-edge training solutions, intentional instructional design, and impactful human performance initiatives.

We cultivate a collaborative, highly motivated environment where innovation meets national security, empowering our clients to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing world.

When you join Carney, you join a passionate team dedicated to shifting paradigms in federal and industrial security training.

Responsibilities

• Assist and provide technical guidance on the comprehensive application of the ADDIE methodology.
• Rapidly support immediate development needs through front-end analysis, training design plans, storyboards, assessments, and beta tests.
• Maintain existing training products by identifying necessary updates driven by policy changes, real-world events, or the Department of Defense Security Skill Standards (DS3) .
• Document all curriculum changes on storyboards and develop detailed course design documents (including content outlines, media treatments, technical specifications, assessment strategies, and recommended design approaches).
• Ensure all revisions are accurately applied after a client programmer completes technical updates.
• Conduct and participate in beta tests to evaluate products for technical accuracy and instructional effectiveness.
• Develop, update, and evaluate robust course assessments to accurately measure learning outcomes and instructional impact.
• Experience supporting federal agencies in the execution of security-related training, education, or certification programs.

Requirements

• Linthicum, MD (5 days a week on site) Position Type: Full-Time Clearance Requirement: Active Secret Clearance or higher required.
• Collaborate with client personnel to conduct thorough TNAs that identify security competencies, training requirements, learning objectives, instructional strategies, media selection, and tailored recommendations.
• Education & Experience (Must meet one of the following tracks): Master’s Degree Track: Master’s degree in Instructional Systems Design or Adult Education from an accredited university AND at least five (5) years of applied ISD experience.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university AND at least eight (8) years of applied ISD experience.
• Security Clearance: Must hold an active Secret personnel security clearance or eligibility.
• Proven experience using a systematic approach to design and develop synchronous/asynchronous online, instructor-led, or instructor-facilitated courses.
• Demonstrated capability to conduct thorough needs analyses, map courseware to organizational goals/skillsets, and align assessments directly to learning content.

Preferred

• Experience building and updating distance-delivered courses within collaborative learning environments and Learning Management Systems (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard, Adobe Connect , etc.).
• Demonstrated experience leading instructional development projects from concept to execution.
• ( For CDSE’s Education Division specifically ) Instructional design experience supporting higher education, undergraduate-, or graduate-level programs.

Benefits

• Overview Carney is committed to supporting the total well-being of our team members and their families.
• We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package designed to provide peace of mind, promote continuous professional growth, and foster a healthy work-life balance: Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with extensive provider networks.
• Competitive base salary, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions, and flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program along with standard observed Federal Holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional certification assistance to support your career progression and continuous learning.
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veteran