Lead Technical Designer Jobs

This position supports the Technical Instruction team in revising and producing high-quality training and technical documentation, and in transforming that documentation into structured, standardized learning solutions. Reporting to the Associate Director, Technical Instruction, the Technical Writer / Instructional Designer collaborates with subject matter experts (SMEs), quality, operations personnel, and business leaders to ensure that procedural documents, training presentations, competency verification documents, and other learning materials are accurate, clear, consistent, and ready for deployment in multiple learning environments. The role converts SOPs into learning pathways, develops modular training content and a training catalog, maintains standardized curricula, and prepares reskilling and upskilling pathways that support a harmonized, global approach to technical training and strengthen the effectiveness of training across the organization.

This role will be remote but must be within commutable distance of Indianapolis, Indiana; Denver, Pennsylvania; Livermore, California; or Frederick, Maryland. This role requires infrequent travel to other sites as needed, less than 10-20%.

Key Accountabilities

Document Revision & Writing

• Review, revise, and restructure quality documents to improve clarity, accuracy, and compliance with applicable quality and regulatory standards.
• Map current workflows with subject matter experts before drafting or revising procedures to ensure documentation reflects how work is performed.
• Draft new SOPs and work instructions in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Apply consistent style, formatting, and language aligned with company templates and document control procedures

Training Material Development

• Revise and develop training presentations and job aids for instructor-led and self-guided formats, ensuring content is engaging, logically structured, and aligned with learning objectives.
• Develop visual process aids, such as flowcharts, decision trees, and swim lane diagrams to supplement written procedures and training materials.
• Create and update competency verification documents, including knowledge checks, practical assessments, and sign-off forms.
• Adapt complex technical content into accessible, audience-appropriate language for varied learner levels.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to validate technical accuracy prior to finalization.
• Produce learning and training materials in a variety of formats, including print, graphics, audio, video, animation, and multimedia, selecting the format best suited to the content and audience.
• Develop the production of classroom handouts, instructional materials, learning aids, and manuals.
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Instructional Design & Learning Pathways

• Convert SOPs and work instructions into structured learning pathways with defined learning objectives, content sequencing, practice activities, and competency verification.
• Develop modular, reusable training content and build and maintain a training catalog that allows learning to be built once and deployed across sites and roles.
• Prepare reskilling and upskilling pathways that support role transitions, new or revised processes, and individual and team development.
• Apply best practices in instructional design and adult learning theory to the strategy, design, and delivery of online, in-person, and blended learning.

Training Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Create evaluations and report on the effectiveness of training programs to confirm that taught skills and techniques are incorporated into employees’ work behavior.
• Evaluate ongoing programs to ensure continued relevance to business processes and employee development.
• Regularly maintain and update online course content, learning pathways, and the training catalog based on feedback, process changes, and evaluation results.
• Maintain training records and present training data and effectiveness metrics to management teams.

Learning Support

• Prepare scripts, presenter notes, and on-screen text for prerecorded training presentations, ensuring alignment between narration and visual content.
• Review draft or recorded training modules for consistency, completeness, and readability; provide written revision recommendations as needed.
• Support the Associate Director, Technical Instruction in organizing and maintaining the training content library and training catalog.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with department SMEs to gather accurate technical information for documentation projects.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with SMEs and business leaders to support training needs assessment, content validation, and adoption of learning solutions.
• Assist with periodic document reviews and audit-related updates as assigned.
• Communicate project status, timelines, and risks to the Associate Director, Technical Instruction in a timely manner.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to process improvement initiatives related to documentation and training workflows.
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Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, Instructional Design/Technology, Educational Technology, English, Communications, Information Systems, or a related scientific discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of technical writing experience in a regulated industry environment; familiarity with lean methodologies (5S, standard work, kaizen, or similar) and experience documenting processes in a continuous improvement culture preferred.
• Demonstrated experience writing and revising SOPs, work instructions, or equivalent procedural documentation.
• Experience translating verbal or informal process descriptions into structured visual workflow documentation (process maps, flowcharts, swim lane diagrams).
• Experience developing or revising PowerPoint presentations for training or instructional purposes.
• Proven experience designing and developing multiple training events, curricula, or learning using adult learning principles.
• Experience maintaining training records.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; strong organizational and multitasking skills required.

Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional written communication skills; ability to write clearly for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and Adobe Acrobat; SharePoint experience preferred.
• Ability to analyze and document workflows; experience creating process maps, flowcharts, or swim lane diagrams using Visio, Lucidchart, PowerPoint, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with document control principles and regulated-industry standards (GLP, GCP, or ISO environments preferred).
• Ability to quickly learn scientific subject matter and translate it into accurate, understandable documentation.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines independently.
• High attention to detail; consistent, error-free deliverables.
• Knowledge and application of adult learning principles and instructional design models; ability to design online, in-person, and blended learning.
• Ability to write effective documentation, user guides, and learner materials.
• Ability to evaluate training effectiveness and present data and findings to management teams.
• Preferred: 5 years of experience in human resources, education, instructional design, or a related field; experience with training evaluation systems; multilingual ability desirable.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed in an office or remote environment; periodic on-site presence will be required.
• Sitting for extended periods of time, talking for extended periods of time, reaching while standing and general repetitive motions, especially as related to computer work.
• Ability to read and interpret materials, verbally communicate, and hear required.
• Office environment.
• Moderate noise level.

Critical Success Factors

• Communication. Able to communicate information and ideas clearly and articulately both in oral and written form. Uses appropriate language, style and methods depending on audience and the purpose of communication. Able to convey complex information clearly. Anticipates the information that others will need. Expresses ideas effectively. Practices attentive and active listening.
• Collaboration. Actively supports and contributes to the success of the team. Actively encourages and practices collaboration and cooperation on the team. Shares information and supports other team members. Can get things done with and through others and set realistic objectives. Seeks opportunities to develop others.
• Relationship Builder. Develops, maintains, and strengthens strong partnerships with others internally and externally, cross functionally, in person and remotely.

• Improvement Driven. Inspires and generates new solutions and approaches to issues and challenges to maximize efficiency and effectiveness through everyday practice of root cause analysis and critical thinking problem solving; Continually works to refine skills and abilities; Builds on ideas of others to come up with new ways to address issues or problems; Generates creative new solutions and approaches to issues and processes.
• Organization and Time Management. Plans and prioritizes work, manages time appropriately to meet deadlines, follows up with others to ensure one’s own work and commitments are completed on time, deals with pressure and deadlines through good planning.

The anticipated base salary for this position could range from between $69,700,000 to $80,000 and will depend, in part, on the successful candidate’s qualifications for the role, including education and experience.

Benefits include health and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, 401K participation with company match, etc.

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  This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience. The salary range will adjust along with the level of the role to match the person’s relevant experience and/or education level.

At Inotiv, our work helps advance the development of new medicines and therapies that can improve people's lives. As a leading global contract research organization (CRO), we partner with researchers to tackle complex scientific challenges, drive innovation, and help build a healthier, safer world. Bringing together scientists, researchers, technical experts, and business professionals, we provide the expertise and collaboration needed to move research forward. Our people make this work possible, and we value the knowledge, ideas, and contributions each person brings to the team. Whether you are starting your career or bringing years of experience, Inotiv offers opportunities to learn, grow, and play a meaningful role in advancing treatments for patients around the world.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and responsibilities. Benefits include health and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid parental leave, 401K, and more!

Inotiv is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.