Systems Course Designer

About the Role

Remote - Limited to candidates residing in Colorado or Virginia.

As a NATO Systems Course Designer, you design and develop the operational training curriculum that enables NATO users to employ the ADOPT solution, including the new NATO mission kit and its tools, data, and analytics integration, alongside existing JCO capabilities at the NATO Space Centre. This role applies NATO training methodologies to build courseware sized for 8-operator cohorts, from training needs analysis through course validation.

Why This Role Matters

The Course Designer builds the foundation of an organic NATO training capability. Rather than recreating the JCO training structure at NATO, this position adapts proven JCO curriculum to NATO's operational context, mission kit, and Space Centre environment so that NATO can eventually train its own operators without enduring reliance on external instructors.

This role offers an opportunity to define how NATO operators learn to exploit commercial SDA capabilities, directly shaping training standards, courseware quality, and the long-term self-sufficiency of the NATO Space Centre training enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct Training Needs Analysis (TNA) for NATO operator audiences, identifying performance requirements, skill gaps, and training objectives for the ADOPT solution and NATO mission kit.
• Design and develop operational training courses in accordance with NATO training methodologies, from learning specifications through assessment strategies and course validation.
• Adapt existing JCO curriculum and courseware to the NATO operational context, integrating the new ADOPT tools, data, and analytics capabilities and the NATO mission kit.
• Develop courseware, instructor guides, student materials, practical exercises, and assessments sized for 8-operator training sessions.
• Integrate NATO Space Centre systems, procedures, and operational workflows into course design, ensuring training reflects the environment in which NATO operators will actually work.
• Design train-the-trainer (T3) packages that transition course delivery and maintenance to NATO instructors, building organic NATO training capability.
• Coordinate with NATO Systems Training Specialists to incorporate delivery feedback, lessons learned, and operator performance data into course revisions.
• Coordinate with ADOPT engineering and product teams to keep courseware current with tool, data, and analytics updates.
• Support course validation events and deployed course iterations in Europe, observing delivery and refining design based on cohort outcomes.
• Maintain configuration control of curriculum documentation and training materials to NATO standards.

Required Qualifications

• JCO 200 certified (or ability to obtain certification upon assignment).
• Train-the-Trainer (T3) certification, recognized by NATO or equivalent certifications
• Training Needs Analysis (TNA) practitioner.
• Experience developing or maintaining JCO curriculum.
• Experience with NATO Space Centre integration training.
• Superior written communication skills, including the ability to produce learning specifications, courseware, and validation reports to formal training standards.
• Availability for two 4-week course deployments to Europe during September 2026 - March 2027, scheduled with NATO operator cohort availability. European basing optional from April 2027 onwards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal qualification in NATO training methodologies or an equivalent NATO recognized national training design standard.
• Familiarity with the ADOPT solution, GDM, JCO, and their relationships with NATO and the NATO Space Centre.
• Experience designing training for space operations, SDA, or commercial data exploitation tools.
• Experience transitioning training programs to host-nation or organic instructor cadres.
• Experience with learning management systems and distributed or blended learning design.
• Prior experience in joint, coalition, or multinational training environments.
• Current NATO SECRET clearance preferred, or the ability to hold an unchallenged NATO SECRET clearance.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience in military training development, instructional systems design, or space operations training preferred.
• Must be eligible for a NATO SECRET security clearance.
• This position is open to citizens of any NATO Member Nation.

Clearance Requirement

• This position may require an active TS/SCI Clearance.
• Current clearance holders are strongly encouraged to apply.
• If you don't currently hold one, Bluestaq will sponsor eligible candidates through the clearance process based on program needs.

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available for full-time positions.

What We Offer

For full-time positions

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision for you and your dependents
• Up to 6% match to 401(k) contributions with additional discretionary 4% profit share on day one. Roth options available; no vesting period.
• Every role is eligible for an annual performance bonus
• $200,000 employer-paid life insurance, plus short- and long-term disability coverage
• $5,000 annual professional development budget per employee
• 20 days PTO, plus 8 paid holidays
• Pet insurance, onsite gym, and flexible schedule

Applications will be accepted for 60 days beyond the posting date, or until the position is filled, whichever comes first.